Pluristem Therapeutics announce two key cell therapy patents
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Haifa, Isreal) has been granted two key patents from the Japan Patent Office, addressing the 3D growth of placental and fat cells and their use in hematopoietic disorders.
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Haifa, Isreal) was last week granted two key patents by the Japan Patent Office. These patents cover the 3D growth of placental and adipose cells and their use in hematopoietic disorders, which Pluristem aims to utilize in order to make cost-effective cell therapy a reality.
Pluristem is a developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The company has previously reported positive clinical trial outcomes for its Placental eXpanded (PLX) cells, which are grown in a 3D microenvironment. These cells release a number of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation, ischemia, hematological disorders and radiation damage, and require no tissue matching before administration.
These latest patents will enhance Pluristem’s current negotiations for commercialization of the PLX cells with pharmaceutical companies in Japan. Additionally, Pluristem recently received approval for its protocol for a Phase 2 trial that will investigate critical limb ischemia.
The first patent — Patent No. 5733894 — is titled “Methods for cell expansion and uses of cells and conditioned media produced thereby for therapy”. This addresses Pluristem’s core 3D growing technology for placental and adipose cells, used to yield therapeutic protein products.
The second patent (Patent No. 5766041), titled “Pharmaceutical composition for enhancing subject hematopoietic system”, covers the use of placental stromal cells grown with 3D culturing technology to treat hematopoietic disorders. For example, the cells may be used to treat disorders caused by chemotherapy or radiation exposure, or to support the grafting of hematopoietic progenitor cells to promote immune system or bone marrow function.
Zami Aberman, CEO and Chairman of Pluristem, commented: “These latest patent grants in Japan fortify our intellectual property position globally, and specifically in the Japanese market, where we are in active negotiations with potential pharmaceutical partners.”
He continued: “Our proprietary process and technology for growing placenta-derived cells within a 3D microenvironment make large scale, cost effective cell therapy production a reality, and IP protection of these methods in Japan is a key asset. The use of these cells to treat disorders of the hematopoietic system is an important indication for PLX cells that is now protected in Japan.”