Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.
(
PSTI
) recently announced the renewal of its five-year collaboration
research agreement with the Berlin-Brandenburg Center for
Regenerative Therapy (BCRT) at Charite - University Medicine
Berlin. The collaboration agreement, which was initially signed in
2007, was extended for another five years till 2017.
As per the 2007 agreement, Pluristem and BCRT collaborated for
several indications using the former's patented placental expanded
(PLX) cells. The companies have been focusing on neurological
indications such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
The original agreement also covered organ transplantation,
cardiovascular indications such as inflammatory cardiomyopathy and
comprehensive immunological research for Pluristem's peripheral
artery disease (PAD) clinical programs. Pluristem was also granted
exclusive ownership of the technology and any products stemming
from the collaboration with BCRT.
We note that Pluristem's PAD clinical trials are entering into
phase II trials and target a lucrative market worth up to $16.5
billion as per the company sources. Pluristem also made significant
progress with its cardiovascular indications during the course of
the agreement. Both the cardiovascular indications - ischemic heart
disease and diastolic heart failure - completed pre-clinical trials
and target a highly lucrative market of $24 billion as per the
company.
Pluristem also discussed its future plan for its technology and
products stemming from the collaboration. During the course of
their renewed agreement, the company and BCRT will be collaborating
over Pluristem's phase I/II clinical trial in Germany on the
regeneration of injured gluteal muscle, in addition to
immunological research and the development of new product
candidates.
Our Take
We are pleased to see that Pluristem and BCRT have renewed their
collaboration agreement. We expect investor focus to stay on the
company's progress with the indications in which it already has
pre-clinical initiatives and also on other initiatives with new
indications.
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Pluristem. The
stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold rating) in the short run.
PLURISTEM THERA (PSTI): Free Stock Analysis
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