HACKENSACK, N.J. and PETACH TIKVAH, Israel, Aug. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, announced today the appointment of Mary Kay Turner to the position of Vice President of Patient Advocacy and Government Affairs, effective August 7, 2017. Ms. Turner joins BrainStorm from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, where she was Head of Patient Advocacy and Communications supporting the commercialization of edaravone (Radicava™) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Her prior industry experience includes senior sales leadership roles and she was Head of State Government Affairs and Advocacy for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

"We are pleased to have Mary Kay join our company as we advance our ALS clinical program and prepare to initiate Phase 3 testing of NurOwn^®," said Chaim Lebovits, President and Chief Executive Officer of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics. "Having a strong patient advocacy perspective and voice in the community is integral to our mission of advancing tomorrow's medicines. Mary Kay brings an extensive background in patient advocacy, government affairs and health policy. We are fortunate to have someone with her biopharma expertise and dedication to the patient community join our team."

"Mary Kay will lead the development and implementation of external collaborations that will address and support the needs of people living with ALS", said Dr. Ralph Z. Kern, MD, MHSc, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer of BrainStorm. "Working directly with patient advocacy groups deepens our understanding of patients' needs and aligns our efforts with the broader ALS community."

"I have been impressed by the progress BrainStorm has made with NurOwn, particularly the outstanding Phase 2 clinical data which showed meaningful improvements in disease symptoms," said Mary Kay Turner. "Joining the company at this exciting juncture provides a great opportunity to work with respected leaders in neurology and cell therapy and to contribute to the development of a new treatment that could potentially transform the ALS landscape."

Mary Kay is recognized as a leader within the biopharma industry for developing advocacy and government affairs strategies.  Most recently she worked at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America as Head of Patient Advocacy and Communications.  Prior to this, Mary Kay spent 26 years at Bristol Myers Squibb Company where she played an essential role in establishing the company's advocacy function and held various positions of increasing responsibility in sales leadership, patient advocacy and government affairs. From 2010 to 2016, she was Head of State Government Affairs and Advocacy at Bristol-Myers. In this role she led a team of government affairs professionals that focused on significant legislative and regulatory issues that promoted and protected the discovery and development of innovative therapies. Mary Kay helped to define the company's advocacy strategy and engagement for each of its key therapeutic areas.

In 2016, Mary Kay was appointed to the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and served a one-year term. She was on the Board of Advisers for the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN). Currently, Mary Kay is a member of the Board of Directors for the ALS Hope Foundation. She also served on the Board of Directors for Mental Health America for 3 years. Mary Kay has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Oregon.

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 approximately 75 patients with ALS in clinical trials conducted in the United States and Israel.  In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in the U. S., a clinically meaningful benefit was demonstrated by higher response to NurOwn compared with placebo.  For more information, visit the company's website at www.brainstorm-cell.com.

Radicava™ is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America.

Contacts
Media:
Uri Yablonka
Chief Business 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.