HACKENSACK, N.J. and PETACH TIKVAH, Israel, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Ltd., has been awarded a new grant of approximately $1,470,000 from Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS).

This is the ninth year that BrainStorm has been in receipt of grant support from the Office of the Chief Scientist, which is part of the Ministry of Economy Program to support innovative technologies in Israel. The funds will support the development of NurOwn™, BrainStorm's innovative mesenchymal stem cell-based platform for treating neurodegenerative diseases. NurOwn™ is currently being investigated in a Phase 2 clinical program in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

BrainStorm's CEO Chaim Lebovits, commented, "We are pleased to see the Office of the Chief Scientist's continued support of the development our innovative mesenchymal stem cell-based platform and our mission to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. We believe this ongoing commitment underscores the confidence that OCS has in our technology." 

The OCS has supported BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Ltd. since 2007, providing grants totaling approximately $6 million in support of the development of NurOwn™. BrainStorm will be required to pay mid-single digit royalties to the OCS based on sales of the products, up to a total of the cumulative amount of OCS grants received plus accumulated interest.

About the Office of the Chief Scientist
Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in the Ministry of Economy is charged with execution of government policy for support of industrial R&D. The goal of the OCS is to assist in the development of technology in Israel as a means of fostering economic growth, encouraging technological innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging Israel's scientific potential, enhancing the knowledge base of industry in Israel, stimulating high value-added R&D and encouraging R&D collaboration both nationally and internationally. A variety of ongoing support programs developed and offered by the OCS play a major role in enabling Israel to be a key center for high tech entrepreneurship.

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 60 patients with ALS in clinical trials conducted in Israel and the United States, and is currently being studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial at three major clinical centers 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

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

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brainstorm-awarded-15-million-non-dilutive-grant-for-2016-from-israels-office-of-the-chief-scientist-300267419.html

SOURCE BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.