Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., an Israeli biotechnology firm founded in 2001 and based in Haifa, specializes in the discovery, advancement, clinical assessment, and production of innovative cell-based therapeutic products. The company's primary focus is on addressing a spectrum of severe medical conditions, including those related to reduced blood flow (ischemia), inflammation, blood disorders, and autoimmune dysfunctions, using its proprietary technologies. A cornerstone of their product pipeline involves placental expanded (PLX) based cell therapies. Their leading investigational drug, PLX-PAD, is currently undergoing evaluation in several clinical studies: it's in a late-stage (Phase III) trial to aid recovery after hip fracture surgery, a mid-stage (Phase II) trial for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome linked to COVID-19, and an early-to-mid-stage (Phase I/II) trial for severe graft-versus-host disease that has not responded to steroid treatment. Another significant product, PLX-R18, has successfully completed its initial Phase I clinical trial for individuals experiencing incomplete blood cell recovery following hematopoietic cell transplantation. Additionally, Pluristem is conducting preclinical animal studies to investigate PLX-R18's potential for treating acute radiation syndrome. The company also engages in various strategic collaborations: it holds a licensing agreement that facilitates PLX-PAD clinical trials in South Korea; participates in the nTRACK project, which explores labeling stem cells with gold nanoparticles; and has a unique partnership with NASA's Ames Research Center to assess how PLX cell therapies might prevent or alleviate medical issues encountered during space missions.