NIH's NIAID initiating dose evaluation studies in animal models of Pluristem's PLX-R18 in the treatment of acute radiation syndrome

National Institutes of Health (NIH), will initiate studies in large animals to evaluate dosing for Pluristem's PLX-R18 as a medical counter measure in the treatment of the haematological components of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Once the optimum dose is determined in large animals, a polar trial could be conducted and the results used to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) submission of PLX-R18 for this indication under the Animal Rule regulative pathway. In September 2015, the FDA had confirmed that information from earlier trials conducted by NIAID were adequate for the future design of studies in Pluristem's development path for PLX-R18. NIAID is supporting and collaborating on the dosing studies, and Pluristem is provision PLX-R18.

ARS is caused by exposure to very high levels of radiation, so much as those that could occur in a nuclear catastrophe. The syndrome can cause severe unwellness or death. When human trials are not ethical or executable, as in this indication, the FDA's Animal Rule regulative pathway allows for the determination of the efficaciousness of drugs exploitation animal efficaciousness studies and human safety information.

"We are very pleased to receive the support and collaboration of the NIH for the development of PLX-R18 as a medical measure in the treatment of ARS, which is the first indication we are targeting in the defense technology space," declared Pluristem Chairman and CEO Zami Aberman.

Pluristem recently received FDA clearance to initiate a Phase I trial of PLX-R18 to treat incomplete haematopoietic recovery following haematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT). This trial is regular to begin in the first half of 2016 in the U.S. in addition, Pluristem has entered into a memo of Understanding (MOU) with Japan's Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Global Medical Science Center to develop PLX-R18 for the treatment of ARS and for morbidities following radiomedical care in cancer patients.

Previous NIH/NIAID studies of PLX-R18 in ARS

The NIH has supported and completed two mouse studies of PLX-R18 as a potential treatment of the component of ARS that affects bone marrow function. ARS involves severe, possibly deadly damage to the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells and blood platelets, as well as to other systems and variety meat. Severe damage to bone marrow quickly makes victims vulnerable to dangerous hemorrhage, infection and anemia. A recently complete NIH/NIAID study showed that administration of PLX-R18 resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the recovery of white blood cell, red blood cell, and blood platelet levels in animals exposed to high levels of radiation, and delineated the treatment's mechanism of action. The NIH/NIAID's first study of PLX-R18 showed a substantial, statistically significant improvement in 30-day survival and overall survival of irradiated rodents given PLX-R18 versus a control group.

About PLX-R18

PLX-R18 is Pluristem's second cell medical care product in development. It is designed to treat bone marrow that is unable to produce enough blood cells due to a variety of causes including ARS, certain cancers or cancer treatments, or immune-mediated bone marrow failure. Pluristem received FDA clearance to initiate a Phase I trial of PLX-R18 in incomplete bone marrow recovery following haematopoietic cell transplantation. With its capabilities, PLX-R18 could possibly treat a broad range of haematological indications, which together constitute a substantial global market.