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BrainStorm Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Progressive MSNEW YORK and CLEVELAND, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leader in developing innovative autologous cellular therapies for highly debilitating neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that the first patient has been enrolled in its Phase 2 open-label, multicenter study of repeated intrathecal administration of autologous MSC-NTF cells in participants with progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Chaim Lebovits, president and CEO of BrainStorm stated, “Midway through MS Awareness Week: March 10-16, we are pleased to announce the first participant with progressive MS has been enrolled in our Phase 2 clinical trial. Progressive MS has deeply affected the lives of many and dramatically impacted family members, caregivers and others. Today, there is no U.S. FDA approved therapy addressing more than one progressive form of MS and we are pleased to deploy our NurOwn® technology platform in this new indication. Soon, we will announce additional sites where the clinical trials will be conducted.” “The first participant enrolled in our Phase 2 trial represents an important milestone in our commitment to address the unmet medical need in progressive MS,” said Ralph Kern, MD MHSc, Chief Operating and Chief Medical Officer of Brainstorm. “We plan to quickly initiate enrollment across all study sites and look toward top line data by the middle of 2020.” MS is a chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS affects approximately 1 million individuals in the U.S. and 2.5 million individuals worldwide. Approximately half of affected individuals will eventually develop a progressive form of the disease, which may lead to increased levels of motor, visual, and cognitive functional impairment and disability. For more information, refer to www.clinicaltrials.gov, using the NCT identifier (NCT03799718). About NurOwn® Technology Platform NurOwn® (autologous MSC-NTF) cells represent a promising investigational therapeutic approach to targeting disease pathways important in neurodegenerative disorders. MSC-NTF cells are produced from autologous, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have been expanded and differentiated ex vivo/em>. MSCs are converted into MSC-NTF cells by growing them under patented conditions that induce the cells to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors. Autologous MSC-NTF cells can effectively deliver multiple NTFs and immunomodulatory cytokines directly to the site of damage to elicit a desired biological effect and ultimately slow or stabilize disease progression. BrainStorm is currently conducting a Phase 3 pivotal trial of autologous MSC-NTF cells for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BrainStorm also recently received U.S. FDA acceptance to initiate a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial in progressive MS and enrollment began in March 2019. About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. About Progressive Multiple Sclerosis MS is an inflammatory disorder in which infection-fighting white blood cells enter the nervous system and cause injury. MS is a demyelinating disorder because the myelin sheath that protects nerves is stripped off during inflammation. Progressive MS is defined by the gradual accumulation of neurological disability independent of relapses, typically with lack of or incomplete recovery. Therapies utilizing regenerative medicine and repair approaches may offer an innovative treatment option. Autologous MSC-NTF cells are bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) propagated and differentiated in culture to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors (MSC-NTF). In preclinical models, there is increasing recognition that NTFs delivered by autologous MSCs have the potential for immunomodulation, remyelination, and neuroprotection in progressive MS. The Phase 2 study of autologous MSC-NTF cells in patients with progressive MS (NCT03799718) started enrollment in March 2019. Safe-Harbor Statements CONTACTS Investors: |