HAIFA, Israel, Aug. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:PSTI) (TASE:PSTI), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued to the Company patent #9,096,827 titled "Adherent Cells From Placenta Tissue and Use Thereof in Therapy".

The patent protects specific methods of culturing placental adherent stromal cells, and use of these cells for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. Indications covered by the patent include a wide range of ischemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease (which includes critical limb ischemia and intermittent claudication), graft-versus-host disease, solid organ transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, neuropathic pain and cancer.

"The U.S. is a very significant market for us and the protection of our IP in this market is a top priority for us. We are pleased to have been granted this patent covering both manufacturing methods and treatment indications. This patent contribute to our IP position we are building in the USA to support our clinical development strategy and future manufacturing and marketing in the USA," stated Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman.

Pluristem has been issued over 40 patents worldwide, and has approximately 150 more patents pending.

About Pluristem Therapeutics

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The Company has reported robust clinical trial data in multiple indications for its patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells. The cells release a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation, ischemia, hematological disorders, and radiation damage. PLX cell products are grown using the Company's proprietary three-dimensional expansion technology. They are off-the-shelf, requiring no tissue matching prior to administration.

Pluristem has a strong intellectual property position; Company-owned, GMP-certified manufacturing and research facilities; strategic relationships with major research institutions; and a seasoned management team.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities laws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the significance of the U.S. market for us. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of Pluristem only, and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology and market requirements; we may encounter delays or obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing our clinical trials; our products may not be approved by regulatory agencies, our technology may not be validated as we progress further and our methods may not be accepted by the scientific community; we may be unable to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with our process; our products may wind up being more expensive than we anticipate; results in the laboratory may not translate to equally good results in real surgical settings; results of preclinical studies may not correlate with the results of human clinical trials; our patents may not be sufficient; our products may harm recipients; changes in legislation; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of Pluristem to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Pluristem undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Pluristem, reference is made to Pluristem's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.
         Karine Kleinhaus, MD, MPH
         Divisional VP, North America
         1-914-512-4109
         karinek@pluristem.com

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