Pluristem, Cha Bio&Diostech Enter Into Strategic Partnership and Licensing Agreement in South Korea

Pluristem Therapeutics

today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pluristem Ltd., has entered into an exclusive out-license and strategic partnership agreement with Cha Bio&Diostech

for the use of Pluristem's PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells for peripheral artery disease (PAD), specifically in two indications: the treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), and Intermediate Claudication (IC) in South Korea. Under the terms of the agreement, Cha will perform and fund multiple clinical trials in South Korea for treating CLI and IC using PLX-PAD under the supervision of the Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). Upon the first regulatory approval for a PLX product in South Korea, Pluristem and Cha will establish a joint venture (JV) co-owned by the parties. The purpose of the JV will be to commercialize PLX cell products in South Korea. According to market research firm Clearstate, 1 million people in South Korea have PAD and the growth forecast for the number of people diagnosed and treated in the country is moderate-to-high.