BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, has announced that it plans to contract with City of Hope's center for biomedicine and genetics to produce clinical supplies of NurOwn adult stem cells for the company's planned randomized, double-blind, multi-dose phase 3 clinical study in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). City of Hope is expected to support all US medical centers that will be participating in the phase 3 trial.
"City of Hope is committed to the advancement of cellular therapy research and the treatment of serious diseases that lack effective therapies," said Dr. Joseph Gold, manufacturing director of City of Hope's biological and cellular GMP manufacturing facility, the Center for Biomedicine and Genetics. "We are pleased to support BrainStorm's ALS clinical research programme."
"City of Hope's cell product manufacturing team has extensive experience in the areas of cGMP manufacturing and regenerative medicine," said Chaim Lebovits, president and chief executive officer of BrainStorm. "This collaboration will ensure that we can provide high-quality clinical supplies of our product to patients who participate in our Phase 3 ALS clinical program. We look forward to finalizing our agreement with City of Hope in the near future."
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 47 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community clinics throughout Southern California.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of first-of-its-kind adult stem cell therapies derived from autologous bone marrow cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.