Pluristem's stem cell technology was selected as one of the most important future innovations in Israel and will be presented at the President's Conference

Pluristem's technology based on human placental stem cells is intended for the treatment of severe vascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, severe inflammatory bowel diseases and stroke. This year, Pluristem began clinical trials in the USA and Germany for the treatment of arteriosclerosis in the lower limbs

The Israeli biomedical company Pluristem, which is traded on Nasdaq (PSTI) and develops a unique technology for restorative healing using stem cells to treat vascular diseases and malignant diseases, has raised 3 million dollars from institutional investors in the USA. Pluristem signed agreements for the sale of shares and options in the amount of 3 million dollars, in which 2,700,895 shares were sold and warrants for the purchase of 1,080,358 shares at a price of 1.12 dollars per share as well as options for a period of 5 years at a price of 1.6 dollars per share.
The fundraising funds will be used by Pluristem to continue promoting clinical trials in the US and Germany in the development of the drug for arteriosclerosis in the lower extremities, as well as for the use of working capital and for the purposes of continuing research and development in the company. The current fundraising funds join the Chief Scientist's recent announcement of an increase in the grant to the company to approximately $2.3 million as assistance In favor of the company's research and development expenses for the period from March 2009 to February 2010.

The innovative stem cell technology of the Israeli biomedical company Pluristem (NasdaqCM: PSTI; DAX: PJT) for the treatment of vascular diseases and malignant diseases has been selected as one of Israel's great future inventions and innovations. The company and the unique technology will be presented to world leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs as part of the President Shimon Peres conference.

Pluristem, which developed a natural and three-dimensional environment for growing stem cells from the placenta (PLX cells) used for healing in a variety of clinical indications, was chosen from among hundreds of Israeli companies and inventions to present at the President's Conference "Turning to Tomorrow" that will be held in Jerusalem between October 22-20. The President's conference is expected to be attended by the Minister of Finance of France, Christine Lagarde; Former Foreign Minister of Russia Igor S. Ivanov; AOL Time-Warner Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong; The futurist and inventor Raymond Kurzweil and many others.

This year, the conference will focus on the trends shaping the future, and will discuss, among other things, topics and innovations that the scientific community strives for, stem cell treatment, alternative energy, water technologies, etc.

The CEO of Pluristem, Zami Aberman, notes that "We are very proud of the selection and recognition of Pluristem as one of Israel's great innovations. It is a great honor that obliges us to continue to act with determination to advance the research and clinical applications we started this year. The President's Conference is an honorable platform to present Pluristem's capabilities and vision to high-ranking leaders and key people in the world's knowledge-rich industries and is also an important business opportunity for us."

This year, Pluristem began its first clinical trial in the US under its FDA approval in two medical centers for the treatment of arteriosclerosis in the lower limbs and in Germany in front of the prestigious Paul Ehrlich Institute. The company proved, in laboratory tests and animal experiments, that its technology improves blood flow by Creating new blood vessels. The company produces from one placenta an amount of cells that will enable the treatment of hundreds of patients. The company focuses on the treatment of arteriosclerosis in the lower limbs, which is typical for diabetics and heavy smokers, as well as replacement therapy for bone marrow transplantation among cancer patients.

The technology was developed in collaboration with the Technion and the Weizmann Institute of Science. The technology simulates the structure of the bone marrow in the human body and thus allows the cells to reproduce under growth conditions similar to those prevailing in the human body. Imitating the natural growth conditions allows the cells to be grown without the addition of growth catalysts and chemicals, which may damage the genetic stability of the cell and cause mutations. The technology is protected by - 11 different patents. The market for arteriosclerosis in the lower limbs is estimated at about 4 billion dollars a year, when there are only in the USA About 12 million patients.

Pluristem, operating from the Matam industrial area in Haifa, employs about 30 people and operates a production facility that meets the strict conditions of the American Drug Authority (FDA). Pluristem became a public company in 2003.