Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., April 10, 2008 Nisan 5, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:02 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Pluristem reports strong results of stroke drug test By Omri Cohen Tags: Israel, Economy Pluristem Therapeutics stock soared 113% Monday on Nasdaq, after the Haifa-based biotherapeutics firm, which specializes in stem-cell therapy products, announced it had successfully completed a preclinical study on its treatment of stroke patients. The study conducted under the supervision of Prof. Frank Emmrich, head of the Fraunhofer Institute in Leipzig, Germany, demonstrated statistically significant improvement in functional and neurological condition in rats, after injection of the treatment. This is Pluristem's second preclinical study of the therapy, which involves injection of placental stem cells. The first study, which was conducted in France, showed improvement in mice that received the cells even 10 hours after occurrence of the stroke, compared to existing therapies on the market, which require the patient to receive treatment no later than three hours after the occurrence. But at Pluristem there is even more excitement over the upcoming human clinical trial for its therapy for lower extremities arteriosclerosis this summer. "This will be the first clinical study in the world, in which placental stem cells are injected into humans, so everyone is on tenterhooks, as we are. But once we are able to prove it [viable], the sky is the limit," Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman said at the firm's offices in Haifa. Advertisement Aberman is a great believer in the potential inherent in placental stem cells. Up until a few years ago, the prevailing attitude was that the placenta was useless after birth. But Pluristem began examining the placenta as an interesting source of stem cells for biological therapies, based on the assumption that the source of stem cells for production of blood cells is the placenta rather than the umbilical cord. Arteriosclerosis is a disease in which clots are formed in blood vessels, mainly in the legs. Diabetics, heavy smokers and overweight people for the bulk of those suffering from arteriosclerosis. According to Aberman's data, the number of patients worldwide reflects a $4 billion market for the therapy, and this is just for the lower limbs. In the U.S. alone there are about 12 million patients, and Pluristem believes that the blood circulation in their legs can be improved, and amputations prevented. The first stage of clinical tests will begin between July and October, and continue over 6-12 months. The test, which will include 20 patients, involves a single injection, followed by monitoring of the healing process. Aberman is expecting initial results by mid 2009. The next two stages will be far broader, and include 200 patients each. The paperwork for the first stage has already been submitted in Germany and the U.S., and Pluristem expects U.S. Federal Drug Administration approval of the Haifa plant by mid-June. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Carter's contacts Report: Ex-U.S. president Carter to meet with Hamas leader in Syria. Warning shouts Officer: Palestinians warned Israelis of terrorist infiltration.

Today Online Israel to deny UN official entry for comparing country to Nazis Responses: 330 Rosner's Guest: Enough with occupation guilt, Gaza is not Auschwitz Responses: 61 State Prosecutor: New Katsav indictment may include rape Responses: 17 Alexander Yakobson: Israel is most successful integration of modern times Responses: 26 IDF begins collecting weapons from West Bank settlements Responses: 44 More Headlines 23:55 Local security officer: Palestinians warned of infiltration 00:59 2 Israeli civilians killed in attack by Gaza infiltrators 21:49 Israel: Hamas responsible for Gaza attack, will pay the price 01:52 Druze elite-unit son buried with honors, but not in military cemetery 00:53 PA police and escaped Fatah militants clash in Nablus 20:48 Report: Ex-U.S. president Carter to meet with Hamas leader in Syria 21:55 Vatican cardinal: Jews too 'emotional' over Good Friday prayer 21:27 Polish PM: Iran's comments on Israel annuls right to place in int'l community 14:41 Murdoch, Blair, Gorbachev to attend Israel's 60th celebrations 00:08 Gunfight erupts on central Tel Aviv street during jewel heist 20:35 Unionized J'lem teens declare labor dispute with employer 19:08 Egyptian troops go on alert, fear new Hamas bid to breach Gaza border 16:18 Judge allows Mosley Nazi role-playing orgy video to go on Web Previous Editions Select Day 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar

Special Offers Advertisement Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Behind the Z Word Scholarly essays, commentary, podcasts, blogs and much more. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved