HACKENSACK, N.J. and PETACH TIKVAH, Israel, Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, announced that it has validated its cryopreservation process for NurOwn^® in preparation for the upcoming Phase 3 clinical study in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  

The validation involved a comparison of NurOwn^® (MSC-NTF cells) derived from fresh mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to those derived from cryopreserved MSC.  Company scientists were successful in showing that the MSC can be stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen for prolonged periods of time while maintaining their characteristics.  The cryopreserved MSC are capable of differentiating into NurOwn^®, similar to the NurOwn^® derived from fresh MSC of the same patient/donor, prior to cryopreservation. This will allow the Company to provide repeated doses of autologous NurOwn^® from a single bone marrow aspirate in its upcoming multidose clinical trial. Cryopreservation will avoid the need for patients to undergo repeated bone marrow aspirations.

"Developing a robust and reproducible cryopreservation process has been an important goal for our R&D team as we prepare for the upcoming multi-dose Phase 3 clinical study in ALS," commented BrainStorm's CEO Chaim Lebovits. "One of the challenges with autologous stem cell transplantations such as NurOwn^® has been that treating patients with multiple doses would have required them to undergo a number of aspiration procedures. Cryopreservation will streamline the process and help reduce the burden both on patients and on the treatment centers. Importantly, it will also result in lower cost of goods for NurOwn^®.  This development, along with the other improvements we have made to the NurOwn^® manufacturing process, is part of our strategy to continuously advance our stem cell platform technologies."  

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.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release 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

Media:

Uri Yablonka, COO
Chief Operating Officer
Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
Phone: 646-666-3188
uri@brainstorm-cell.com

Investors:
Michael Rice
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Phone: 646-597-6979
mrice@lifesciadvisors.com

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SOURCE BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.