BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics seeks JVs and investors to commercialize stem cell pipeline

With the Phase III trial testing NurOwn®’s differentiated neurotrophic factor secreting mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-NTF) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), financed by a $16m non-dilutive grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics president and CEO Chaim Lebovits tells Scrip that he expects 2018 to be an exciting year for the company. Speaking during Biotech Showcase, he revealed that the company expects to complete enrollment of the 200-patient 1:1 randomization ALS study, powered for efficacy, in 2018, with a readout in 2019. In the meantime, he anticipates identifying other target indications plus moving forward with joint venture discussions as the company develops its commercialization plans.