BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics' Adult Stem Cell Approach More Relevant Than Embryonic Stem Cell Therapies

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 29 Nov 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB:BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, is pleased to announce that based on studies conducted to date, the Company's adult stem cell therapies provide a safer approach at curing and treating neurodegenerative diseases than competitive therapies that rely on embryonic stem cells. In addition to the well-known ethical/religious concerns associated with embryonic stem cell therapies, experts are greatly concerned with the risk of the development of teratomas (or cancer) in patients as a result of the usage of embryonic stem cells. BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is confident that its approach to stem cell treatments, using adult stem cells, eliminates this additional risk factor that embryonic stem cell treatments face. The Company expects that this will enable it to commercialize its products more quickly than its competitors, which will allow patients to benefit from its technologies and therapies more promptly.

Recently, two teams of scientists reported that they had converted human skin cells into what appeared to be embryonic stem cells (iPS) without having to make or destroy an embryo. Although these cells seemingly quell the religious debate troubling the field of stem cell testing, authors admit that the cells induce teratomas formation. While this study is still in an early stage of basic science, it will likely take many years to eradicate the threat of cancer induction. The practical aspects of a therapy involving autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are not yet clear. It is well known that nearly a decade has passed from the embryonic stem cell breakthrough, and still, a therapy based on such cells is not yet close to the market.

"Upon learning of the skin cell news (iPS), our scientific team is even more confident that adult stem cell therapies will, with G-Ds help, reach the market faster than any other stem cell approach," said Chaim Lebovits, President of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics. "We are continuing to design and conduct various pre-clinical trials, preparing the Company for the Pre IND stage with the FDA."

BrainStorm is proceeding quickly towards developing a treatment for Parkinson's disease, having already engaged in Pre-Pre IND discussions with the FDA. In addition, the Company is also continuing its studies for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). BrainStorm is currently utilizing capital from its most recent investment cash infusion under an agreement with a third party to recruit additional scientists in order to speed up testing and facilitate the development of cures for these neurodegenerative diseases.

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is an emerging company developing adult stem cell therapeutic products, derived from autologous (self) bone marrow cells, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The NurOwn(TM) patent pending technology is based on discoveries made by the scientific team led by prominent neurologist Professor Eldad Melamed, Head of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center, and expert cell biologist Dr. Daniel Offen, Head of the Neuroscience Laboratory at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center of Tel-Aviv University. The technology allows for the differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells into functional neurons and astrocytes, as demonstrated in animal models. The Company holds rights to develop and commercialize the technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., the technology transfer company of Tel-Aviv University. The Company's initial focus is on Parkinson's disease, although its technology has promise for treating several others diseases including MS, ALS, Huntington's disease and stroke.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute "forward-looking statements" and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including BrainStorm's ability to complete its equity financing transactions previously disclosed,.

The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks associated with BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s limited operating history, history of losses and expectation to incur losses for the foreseeable future; dependence on its license to Ramot's technology; ability, together with its licensor, to adequately protect the NurOwn(tm) technology; dependence on key executives and on its scientific consultants; ability to identify, negotiate and successfully implement strategic partnering relationships; ability to complete clinical trials successfully and to obtain required regulatory approvals; competition with companies, some of which have greater resources and experience in developing and obtaining regulatory approval for treatments in BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s market; the limited public trading market for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s stock which may never develop into an active market; and other factors detailed in BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-KSB, quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at http://www.sec.gov/ or by request to the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.