Pluri Inc. announced the publication of an article titled Placental expanded mesenchymal-like cells (PLX-R18) for poor graft function after hematopoietic cell transplantation: A phaseI study in the peer reviewed journal Nature Bone Marrow Transplantation. As described in the article, in a successful Phase I first-in-human study which achieved its primary endpoint, patients with incomplete hematopoietic recovery post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) were treated with escalating doses of Pluri?s cell therapy, PLX-R18. While patients received only two administrations of PLX-R18 during the first week, as compared to the standard of care which requires frequent and ongoing dosing, treated patients showed increased blood cell counts for as long as 12 months from administration, and a reduction in the need for blood transfusions.

PLX-R18 was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile. PLX-R18, a placental-derived cell therapy, has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of graft failure, incomplete hematopoietic recovery following HCT, and the treatment of ARS. Low levels of blood cells (cytopenia) post-HCT can persist despite adequate engraftment of donor cells.

Pluri?s PLX-R18 cells secrete a large array of hematopoietic factors which promote regeneration, maturation, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells and stimulate their migration to peripheral blood.