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StemEx is a graft of blood-forming stem/progenitor cells, derived from asingle unit of umbilical cord blood and expanded in culture. The graft iscomposed of non-embryonic stem cells committed to blood formation. The StemExproduct is transplanted in combination with non-expanded cells from the sameunit. StemEx is being developed by a Joint Venture of Gamida Cell and TevaPharmaceutical Industries (NASDAQ: TEVA).
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"ExCell is an important trial that gives us an opportunity to investigatealternative treatments for blood cancers. We also think it is important thatthe medical and patient communities are aware of the existence of this trial.Naturally, our team is available for consultation should a referringphysician believe this could be the appropriate next step for a patient withleukemia or lymphoma," said Roger Giller MD, principal investigator at TheChildren's Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Currently, bone marrow transplantation serves as a life-saving treatmentfor many types of leukemia and lymphoma. According to the National MarrowDonor Program (NMDP) 70% of patients are unable to find a matched donor intheir family but are able to turn to international bone marrow transplantregistries to search for an unrelated adult donor or cord blood unit.Depending on the patient's race or ethnicity, a well matched, unrelated adultmarrow or blood stem cell donor may not be available for as many as 40% ofthese patients. In that and other circumstances, a stored unrelated cordblood unit can be a valuable alternative option.
Cord blood has fewer matching requirements than bone marrow or peripheralblood transplants, providing the potential to increase the number of suitabletransplant matches and to shorten the time it can take to find a match.However, there are a limited number of stem/progenitor cells in each cordblood unit, often limiting unrelated cord blood transplants to younger,smaller pediatric patients. StemEx employs a technology that expands thissmall number of cord blood stem/progenitor cells, potentially increasingtheir therapeutic capacity for transplantation in adolescents and adults.
"Our goal is to develop a product that will effectively treat bloodcancers like leukemia and lymphoma. It is with this goal in mind that theExCell team is studying the effects of StemEx. It is our hope that moredoctors, patients and the friends and family of patients will become familiarwith this study," said David Snyder, vice president of clinical development.
ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
The Children's Hospital has defined and delivered pediatric healthcareexcellence for more than 100 years. Founded in 1908, The Children's Hospitalis a leading pediatric network entirely devoted to the health and wellbeingof children. Continually recognized as one of the nation's outstandinghospitals by U.S. News & World Report, The Children's Hospital is known bothfor its nationally and internationally recognized medical, research andeducation programs as well as the full spectrum of everyday care for kidsthroughout Colorado and surrounding states. With more than 1,000 healthcareprofessionals representing the full spectrum of pediatric specialties, TheChildren's Hospital network of care includes its main campus, sixteenChildren's Care Centers and more than 400 outreach clinics. For moreinformation, visit http://www.thechildrenshospital.org.
ABOUT GAMIDA CELL
Gamida Cell Ltd. is a world leader in stem cell expansion technologiesand therapeutic products. The company is developing a pipeline of products instem cell transplantation and in tissue regeneration to effectively treatdebilitating and often fatal illnesses such as cancer, hematological,autoimmune and ischemic diseases. Gamida Cell's therapeutic candidatescontain populations of adult stem cells, selected from non-controversialsources such as umbilical cord blood and bone marrow, which are expanded inculture. Gamida Cell was successful in translating these proprietaryexpansion technologies into robust and validated manufacturing processesunder GMP. Gamida Cell's flagship product, StemEx, is now being studied as atherapy for patients with blood cancers in an international pivotal trial atleading transplant centers in the U.S., Europe and Israel. StemEx has orphandrug designation in the U.S. and in Europe. Gamida Cell's currentshareholders include: Elbit Imaging, Biomedical Investment, Israel HealthcareVenture, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Amgen, Denali Ventures and AurigaVentures. For more information, please visit: http://www.gamida-cell.com. Forinformation regarding the ExCell study: http://www.stemexstudy.com.Press Contacts: Natalie Goldstein, Children's Hospital +1-720-777-3970 Marjie Hadad Media Liaison, Gamida Cell +972-54-536-5220
SOURCE Gamida Cell LTD
