NEW YORK, April 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Crystal Research Associates, LLC announced today that it has issued an Executive Informational Overview(r) (EIO(r)) on Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:PLRS). The full 48-page report can be found at www.crystalra.com and www.pluristem.com.
Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. ("Pluristem" or "the Company") develops cell therapy products to treat severe blood, cardiovascular, autoimmune, and other disorders. Cell therapy is a technology that relies on replacing diseased or dysfunctional cells with healthy, functioning ones. For its first product, PLX-I, the Company seeks to address the global shortage of matched tissue for bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients, with the intent of eliminating the currently deficient BMT search-and-match process. BMT is often the only cure for patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and many other hematological diseases.
Unlike BMTs, where a "perfect match" is required, Pluristem employs umbilical cord blood (UCB) as a source of hematopoietic stem cells. Because these cells are younger and less likely to be rejected by the immune system, they can be successfully used even when there is only a half-match. This means that approximately 95% of patients seeking hematopoietic stem cell transplants may find a match with UCB. The key to using UCB lies in finding ways to enlarge the quantity of stem cells that are transplanted, without differentiation, and to improve engraftment of these cells. Differentiation is a process whereby unspecialized stem cells give rise to specialized cells; engraftment is the process by which newly transplanted stem cells begin to produce normal quantities of mature cells in the body.
Pluristem's technology is intended to improve and enhance the growth of the hematopoietic stem cells found in UCB. Pluristem's allogeneic product, PLX-I, is based on obtaining mesenchymal stem cells from the placenta (obtained after birth) and expanding these cells within the Company's proprietary PluriX(tm) Bioreactor System. This System mimics the natural environment of human bone marrow and permits stem cells to expand (grow and replicate) outside of the body, devoid of differentiation. PLX-I is then used concomitantly with UCB as a safe and effective alternative to BMT. The Company is also studying the use of the PLX cells for additional clinical applications.
About Crystal Research Associates, LLC
Crystal Research Associates, LLC is an independent research firm that provides institutional-quality, fee-based research to small and mid-cap companies. Crystal Research Associates' unique and novel product, the Executive Informational Overview(r) (EIO(r)), is free of investment ratings, target prices, and forward-looking financial models. The EIO(r) presents a crystal clear, detailed report on a company (public or private) in a manner that is easily understood by the Wall Street financial community. The EIO(r) details a company's product/technology/service offerings, market size(s), key intellectual property, leadership, growth strategy, competition, risks, audited financial statements, key events, and other such fundamental information. Crystal Research Associates has offices in New York City, Delray Beach, Montreal, and Toronto. Crystal Research Associates has been compensated by the Company in cash of thirty-five thousand U.S. dollars and seven hundred fifty thousand four-year Options/Warrants to purchase Pluristem Life Systems, Inc. stock for its services in creating this report, for updates, and for printing costs.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in R&D programs, potential applications of the Company's technology, opportunities for the Company, and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements including: limited operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, protection of the Company's intellectual property, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports, including Forms 10-KSB, 10-QSB, 8-K, and other forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
These statements, and other forward-looking statements, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Crystal Research Associates assumes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release.