Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NasdaqCM: PSTI; TASE: PLTR) is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapies. The company's patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells drug delivery platform releases a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to a variety of local and systemic inflammatory diseases. PLX cells are grown using the company’s proprietary 3D micro-environmental technology and are an off-the-shelf product that requires no tissue matching or immune-suppression treatment prior to administration. PLX-PAD comprehensive clinical development plan has been recognized by both the EMA and FDA, targeting a sub-population of 20-million patients of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) market. The company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pluristem Ltd., has been approved for a 11.8 million New Israeli Shekels (approximately $3.1 million) grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) within the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. The grant, once received, "will be used to cover R&D expenses for the period March to December 2012. According to the OCS grant terms, Pluristem Ltd. is required to pay royalties in the rate of 3% - 5% on sales of products and services derived from technology developed using this and other OCS grants until 100% of the dollar-linked grants amount plus interest are repaid. In the absence of such sales, no payment is required."
The OCS was empowered by the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research & Development -- 1984. It "oversees all Government sponsored support of R&D in the Israeli hi-tech and bio-tech industries. This broad-spectrum support stimulates the development of innovative state-of-the-art technologies, enhances the competitive power of the industry in the global hi-tech market, creates employment opportunities and assists in improving Israel's balance of payments."
"We are pleased Pluristem's PLX cells were recognized as an innovative state-of-the-art technology with a potential to create long term sustainable competitive advantage in the cell therapy industry. This grant will assist the company in enhancing its R&D plans and clinical trials, helping us bring the PLX product candidates to market for the treatment of millions of patients around the world."