BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics’ new US patent covers the production method of its proprietary stem cells induced to secrete significantly elevated levels of neurotrophic factors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Neurotrophic factors secreted by the patented cells include glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Additionally, the company’s patented cells secrete high levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).
The neurotrophic factorsis known to support the neural cell network by protection of existing motor neurons, promotion of motor neuron growth, and re-establishment of nerve-muscle interaction. HGF was recently suggested to have neuroprotective effects in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
BrainStorm is the exclusive worldwide licensee of the autologous stem cell technology from Ramot. Ramot is the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University. The autologous stem cell technology was developed by Dr Daniel Offen and Dr Eldad Melamed, in cooperation with BrainStorm’s scientists.