The patent covers methods for treating ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease using placenta-derived cells. This patent has already been issued to Pluristem in South Africa and is currently pending in several other jurisdictions.
"Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that PLX cells are potentially effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease, and we may consider advancing into clinical trials with this indication in future," stated Pluristem CEO Zami Aberman.
"This patent issued in Russia is the latest in a series of patents we’ve been granted across the globe for the use of placenta-derived cell therapies in a variety of different indications."
The Company’s patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells are a protein delivery platform that releases a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to a host of local and systemic inflammatory and ischemic conditions.
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 prior to administration.