HACKENSACK, N.J. and PETACH TIKVAH, Israel, Dec. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that it has appointed Dr. Revital Geffen-Aricha, M.Sc., Ph.D., as Vice President of Research and Development.  Dr. Geffen-Aricha will be based in Israel and report to Chaim Lebovits, President and Chief Executive Officer. She will be responsible for all research and development activities for BrainStorm.

"We are excited to have someone of Revital's experience and capabilities join the Brainstorm team," stated Chaim Lebovits. "She has already made significant contributions since joining the company in March 2015. We look forward to her leadership as we advance NurOwn^® through the clinic in ALS and continue our efforts to explore the full potential of NurOwn^® to treat patients suffering from additional CNS disorders."

"There is a very significant unmet need for innovation in the treatment of CNS disorders and Brainstorm is developing cell therapies that have the potential to transform how these diseases are treated," said Dr. Geffen-Aricha. "I look forward to leading the team in advancing the promising NurOwn^® development programs."

Dr. Geffen-Aricha joined BrainStorm from the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she served as the Chief Resident of the department of Immunology since 2006.  While at the Weizmann Institute, she was involved in several research projects, including the involvement of regulatory T-cells in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, and the role of AIRE in the susceptibility to myasthenia gravis.  Prior to the Weizmann Institute, she was the Project Manager in collaboration with the Johnson & Johnson Company while at Bar Ilan University, testing the potential role of 5HT3 receptor in depressive behavior.  From 1993 to 2002, she was at Bar Ilan University, as a Teaching Assistant and a Research Assistant where she was involved in the ontogeny of transient DRG of chick embryos.  Dr. Geffen-Aricha is a postdoctoral fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science.  She received her Ph.D. (summa cum laude), her M.Sc. (magna cum laude), and her B.Sc. from Bar Ilan University,

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of first-of-its-kind adult stem cell therapies derived from autologous bone marrow cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The Company holds the rights to develop and commercialize its NurOwn® technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University.  NurOwn® has been administered to over 30 patients with ALS in clinical trials conducted in Israel, and is currently being studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in the United States.  For more information, visit the company's website at www.brainstorm-cell.com.

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. Terms and phrases such as "may", "should", "would", "could", "will", "expect", "likely", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "predict", "potential", and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.  The potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with BrainStorm's limited operating history, history of losses; minimal working capital, dependence on its license to Ramot's technology; ability to adequately protect the technology; dependence on key executives and on its scientific consultants; ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and other factors detailed in BrainStorm's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available at http://www.sec.gov.  These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BrainStorm's forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or assumptions if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, unless otherwise required by law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

CONTACTS:
Uri Yablonka
Chief Operating Officer
BRAINSTORM CELL THERAPEUTICS INC.
201-488-0460
uri@brainstorm-cell.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141006/150511

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brainstorm-cell-therapeutics-announces-appointment-of-dr-revital-geffen-aricha-as-vice-president-of-research--development-300188619.html

SOURCE BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.