Pluristem reports positive muscle injury trial

After falling 19% yesterday on fear of a failed trial, the stem cell company's share price is up 20% this morning.

Pluristem Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq:PSTI; TASE: PLTR) today published the results of the efficacy and safety study, after six months of monitoring, in the Phase I/II clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of PLacental eXpanded (PLX-PAD) cells in the treatment of muscle injury.

After falling 19% yesterday, the company's share price is up 20% this morning.

The trial indicated that PLX-PAD cells were safe and statistical significance was reached (p=0.0067) for the primary efficacy endpoint of the study, the change in maximal voluntary isometric contraction force of the gluteal muscle at six months after total hip replacement. Patients treated with PLX-PAD had a greater improved change of maximal voluntary muscle contraction force than the placebo group. These results provide evidence that PLX cells may be efficacious in the treatment of orthopedic injuries including muscles and tendons.

"I am very impressed with the magnitude of the efficacy results seen in this trial. PLX cells demonstrated safety and suggested that the increase in muscle volume could be a mechanism for the improvement of contraction force," said the study's senior scientist, Dr. Tobias Winkler of the Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Julius Wolff Institute Berlin, Charite - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin.

Pluristem chairman and CEO Zami Aberman said, "This was a very important study not only for Pluristem but for the cell therapy industry in general. The study confirms our pre-clinical findings that PLX-PAD cell therapy can be effective in treating muscle injury. Having a statistically significant result for our primary efficacy endpoint is very encouraging and consistent with our understanding of the mechanism of action associated with cell therapy. Based on these results, we intend to move forward with implementing our strategy towards using PLX cells in orthopedic indications and muscle trauma."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 21, 2014

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2014

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