BCLI - BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics - Info:BCLI - BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. - Website: https://www.brainstorm-cell.com/
A small new Biotech company discovers breakthrough adult stem cell technology – early investors could make a fortune… BCLI's breakthrough technology for regenerating damaged nerve cells may offer hope to Millions of people suffering from Parkinson's disease. Investing in biotech stocks may be risky, but every once in a while, a major breakthrough comes along that more than justifies the risk. Stem cell research – involving adult stem cells – is just such a breakthrough. It could represent the greatest medical advance since the discovery of antibiotics.
That's why California recently authorized some $3 Billion be spent on stem cell research – and other states are considering similar funding ventures. New Jersey may spend $380 million and New York is talking about an initiative of $1 Billion on research.
BrainStorm (OTC.BB: BCLI) is an emerging company developing stem cell therapeutic products based on breakthrough technologies. BrainStorm's core technology, NurOwn™, was developed through a collaboration between prominent neurologist, Prof. Eldad Melamed, Head of Neurology of the Rabin Medical Center and member of the Scientific Committee of "Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research" and expert cell biologist Dr. Daniel Offen, at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center of Tel-Aviv University.
But while most of the attention has been focused on the controversial research involving cloning of human embryos, what has been overlooked are the huge advances begin made, right now with adult stem cells taken from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood.
“BCLI's lead researcher, Prof. Eldad Melamed, is a key advisor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation…”
In fact, while not a single treatment has been developed to date with embryonic stem cells, literally hundreds of breakthrough adult stem cell treatments are already being used to treat everything from leukemia to AIDS. For example, in January 2005, the City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles announced that researchers reported an 85% progression-free survival for patients with HIV-related lymphoma treated with stem cell transplants taken from patient's own bodies.
It's little wonder, then, that companies specializing in adult stem cell research have seen their stocks shoot up 200%, 400% even 600%, or more in the past year. Stem Cells, Inc. (STEM), for example, which is developing adult stem cell treatments for neurological diseases, has seen the value of its stock skyrocket 445% in the past 12 months. Investors in Aastrom Biosciences Inc (ASTM) , which uses stem cells taken from bone marrow to develop treatments for cancer, have nearly quadrupled their investments since Christmas!
BCLI's technology could be the cure for what the Michael J. Fox Foundation has been searching for… The head of BCLI's advisory board, Professor Eldad Melamed, head of the Neurology Department at Rabin Medical Center , is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost experts on neuro-degenerative diseases, especially Parkinson's. He is on the Scientific Board of Advisors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation – a multidisciplinary group of leading Parkinson's researchers and clinicians from across North America . These are the top scientists involved with strategic meeting, grant review sessions and other activities that serve the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
In addition to his work at Rabin Medical Center , Melamed is a professor of neurology, chairman of the National Parkinson Foundation's Center for Research Excellence in Israel and served seven years as the president of the Israel Neurological Association.
This scientific team is among the first to have successfully demonstrated the physiological release of dopamine from in vitro differentiated bone marrow cells. Moreover, in research conducted by this team, implantation of these cells into the brains of animal models that had been induced to Parkinsonian behavior markedly improved their symptoms. BrainStorm intends to apply the patent-pending technology to the development of innovative autologous cell therapeutic products, NurOwn™, for treatment of neurological diseases.
BrainStorm holds exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize the NurOwn™ technology, through a licensing agreement with Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University . The agreement also provides for further research, funded by BrainStorm, to be performed by Prof. Melamed, Dr. Offen and members of their research team at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center . The results of this research are licensed to the Company under the terms of the license agreement. Thus, although a development stage company, BrainStorm has access to the research results of an R&D team comprising 12 experts in the technology, including molecular and cell biologists, pharmacologists and animal model experts.
“BCLI has a procedure that uses a patient's own bone marrow to grow brand-new, fully functioning nerve cells.” Not only may BCLI's approach avoid the ethical and legal problems associated with embryonic stem cells or fetal tissue…it could also show dramatically more promise. BCLI could be the most profitable biotech pick for 2005…
6 Big Reasons why you should take action on BCLI right now!
1. Could help Millions: Both Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis have no known cure…and their treatment options are limited. Millions of people suffer from these generative diseases, both of which attack nerve cells. Americans have seen with their own eyes an these diseases are crippling such well-known celebrities as the late Pope John Paul II, Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox, Billy Graham, Janet Reno and many others.
2. Few Other Options: The one futuristic treatment option that offers some hope, cellular regeneration therapies, face many obstacles. Therapies that are based on cloning embryos and then extracting their stem cells face strong ethical and legal objections – and from a medical point of view, potentially serious complications as well. Embryonic stem cells may require powerful immunosuppressant drugs that could endanger many patients. There is also concern that embryonic stem cells may grow unchecked and metamorphose into cancerous tumors in patients following transplantation.
3. Possibly No Ethical or Medical Complications: BCLI's approach uses a patient's own bone marrow to cultivate stem cells and potentially produce brand-new, fully functioning neurons to replace those damaged by PD or MS. This technology has none of the ethical concerns associated with cloning and destroying human embryos – AND may not face the problem of immune system rejection or cancer growth.
4. Enormous Market: An estimated 1 million people might be helped by BCLI's cellular regenerative therapy – which represents between 20% and 30% of sufferers around the world. Right now, patients have little hope for a cure…but if BCLI's new therapy performs as well as expected, it could offer real, dramatic improvement in the lives of Parkinson's and MS patients.
5. World Experts: BCLI's management team and advisory board include some of the world's foremost experts on cellular biology and neuro-degenerative diseases. These experts have published literally hundreds of scientific papers and hold patents for other breakthrough treatments and therapeutic agents.
6. BCLI Could Make Early Shareholders a Fortune: With 20.7 million shares currently outstanding, and with an industry average P/E ratio of 41.8, it may not take too much for BCLI's stock to take off like a rocket. It could be a life changing opportunity for early shareholders.
Don't sit on the sidelines as early shareholders make a fortune!
NEWS:
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Appoints Renowned Neurologists Prof. Warren Olanow and Prof. Andre Lozano to Scientific Advisory Board; Completes Formation of Scientific Advisory Board
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCBB:BCLI), an emerging company in stem cell therapeutics for neurological diseases, today announced that Prof. Andre Lozano and Prof. C. Warren Olanow, internationally renowned clinical neurologists and researchers, have been appointed to the Company's Scientific Advisory Board.
"We are very excited that medical researchers of the stature of Prof. Olanow and Prof. Lozano are joining us in our journey to develop solutions for neurodegeneration. Their authoritative clinical expertise combined with their cutting-edge research achievements will be a tremendous source of guidance to BrainStorm. Their appointments complete the formation of our Scientific Advisory Board which also includes the world class clinicians and scientists, Prof Eldad Melamed, Prof Jeffrey Kordower and Prof. Ole Isacson. We believe that this outstanding team of advisors will provide us with significant value as we move ahead to develop therapies for Parkinson's and other diseases," said Yaffa Beck, CEO.
Prof. Warren Olanow, M.D. FRCPC is the Henry P. and Georgette Goldschmidt Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology and Professor of Neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City . He is also the Chief of the Neurology Service at the Mount Sinai Hospital .
He served on the faculties of McGill University , Duke University , and the University of South Florida prior to assuming his present position. Prof. Olanow has authored more than 300 publications primarily related to Parkinson's disease and neurodegeneration. He is Treasurer of the American Neurological Association and was previously President of the Movement Disorder Society and the International Society of Motor Disturbances. He has been named an Honorary Professor at the University of London ( Royal Free Hospital ) and an Honorary Member of the French Neurological Society. He has served on numerous editorial and scientific advisory boards and has lectured at Universities and Conferences throughout the world.
Prof. Lozano currently holds the RR Tasker Chair in Functional Neurosurgery and a Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience at the University of Toronto . He also serves as Head of Applied and Interventional Research at the Toronto Western Research Institute. Prof. Lozano's research is focused on understanding the cellular pathogenesis and developing novel treatments, including surgical therapies, for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia. His work has appeared in over 200 publications and he has been invited lecturer or visiting professor in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia . He serves on the board and executive of several international organizations and is currently President of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and Chair of the Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery section of the World Federation of Neurosurgery. He serves the international editorial board of several journals and is Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. He has received a number of awards including the Gold Medal of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Penfield Award.
“Professor Melamed is uniquely equipped to help make BCLI one of the biggest biotech success stories of our time.”
About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is an emerging company developing neural-like stem cell therapeutic products, NurOwn(TM), based on autologous bone marrow derived stromal cells, for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. NurOwn(TM) patent pending technology is based on discoveries made by the team of prominent neurologist, Prof. Eldad Melamed, Head of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center , and expert cell biologist Dr. Daniel Offen, at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center of Tel-Aviv University, enabling the differentiation of bone marrow derived stem cells into functional neurons, as demonstrated in animal models. The company holds rights to develop and commercialize the technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd., the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University . The company's initial focus is on developing treatments for Parkinson's Disease.
About Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are non-specialized cells with a remarkable potential for both self-renewal and differentiation into cell types with a specialized function, such as muscle, blood or brain cells. Stem cells may be sourced from fetal or embryonic tissue or from adult tissue reservoirs such as bone marrow. Use of embryonic stem cells, has become the center of significant ethical and moral debate. In contrast, use of adult stem cells does not face the same moral or legal controversy. Stem cell therapy aims to "cure" disease by replacing the 'diseased' cells with 'healthy' cells derived from stem cells. This approach has the potential to revolutionize medicine and, if successful, the implied commercial opportunities are great. Currently, both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and adult stem cells (ASC) are being explored as the potential basis for multiple cell therapy products.
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease (PD), which was first described by James Parkinson in 1817 as "the shaking palsy", is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the brain cells responsible for production of dopamine. The symptoms include tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and impaired balance. Over four million people in the developed world, including as many as 1.5 million Americans, mainly over the age of 65, are diagnosed with PD. That figure is predicted to rise by 10% by 2010. Pharmaceutical treatments of PD with an estimated combined annual market value of $4 billion, are insufficient to meet patient needs. The search for more effective treatments continues.