Current Status
As a result of intensive research activities over the past four years, supported by Tel Aviv University, several significant milestones have been achieved:
�� The process of taking human bone marrow, separating the stromal
cells and inducing the generation of neuronal stem cells to produce
dopamine has been demonstrated and proved.
�� Following the novel isolation and differentiation process, adult human
bone marrow has yielded cells like neurons, expressing proteins that
are unique to the nervous system and exhibit typical neural
physiology.
�� Differentiated human bone marrow cells were synthesized, and they
released dopamine and its precursors and metabolites.
�� In an experimental model for PD in rats, transplantation of human bone
marrow derived-cells resulted in significant clinical improvements.
�� Human mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated into cells that
express astrocytes markers. As indicated by various biochemical and
immunological methods, these cells produce significant amount of
growth factors, such as GDNF.
�� In an experimental model for PD in rats, transplantation of human bone
marrow derived astrocytes-like cells resulted in significant clinical
improvements.
These results represent an extremely important breakthrough towards generating functioning neurons or astrocytes from adult human bone marrow cells. The novel procedure offers a readily available source of dopaminergic neuron-like cells or astrocytes cells for autologous transplantation in PD or ALS patients.
The Company’s immediate goal is to further define and perfect its procedures to enable isolation of cells from human bone marrow and to transform them into neural-like cells for cell therapy in a commercial procedure that adheres to FDA guidelines.
Market
