Unleashing the Power of MAIT Cells

Pluri Launches Novel Immunotherapy Platform for Solid Tumor Cancer Treatment

• Placental Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells are unique unconventional immune T cells which are particularly suitable for the treatment of solid tumors, a significant unmet medical need
• MAIT cells offer unique advantages compared to conventional T cells
• MAIT cells hold immense potential for immunotherapy, but their expansion has been a challenge thus far. Pluri, leveraging two decades of cell expertise, has overcome this challenge with its proprietary technology, unlocking the full potential of MAIT cells
• The global cancer immunotherapy market is expected to reach $275.11 billion by 2032
• Leading cancer researchers Dr. Prasad S. Adusumilli and Dr. Richard L. Kendall join Pluri’s Scientific Advisory Board in support of the development of its platform
  

HAIFA, Israel, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pluri Inc. (Nasdaq:PLUR) (TASE:PLUR) ("Pluri" or the “Company”), a leading biotechnology company that transforms cells into solutions, today launched its placental allogeneic MAIT cell platform for immunotherapy treatment for solid tumors – a significant medical need which currently lacks effective treatments.

Leveraging two decades of cell expansion expertise and its proprietary technology, Pluri recently unveiled a novel method for expansion of immune cells as well as a new U.S. granted patent. Pluri believes that the newly announced immunotherapy platform can revolutionize solid tumor treatment and unlock the potential of placental MAIT cells, which are unique immune cells derived from healthy donors.

The Company also announced that Dr. Prasad S. Adusumilli (Min H. and Yu-Fan C. Kao Chair in Thoracic Cancers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and Dr. Richard L. Kendall (Former Head of Oncology Research at Amgen), two renowned oncology researchers, joined its newly formed Scientific Advisory Board to provide strategic counsel as this project advances.

Pluri's Placental Allogeneic MAIT Platform (MAIT)

Offering substantial potential benefits compared to conventional T cells, Pluri’s MAIT cells are isolated from the human placenta, a source rich in highly potent allogeneic immune cells. These cells are potent effector cells, potentially targeting tumors through multiple mechanisms while expressing high levels of various chemokine receptors, which facilitate their migration directly to tumor sites. Furthermore, unlike conventional T cells typically collected from peripheral blood, Pluri’s MAIT cells demonstrate a lower alloreactivity profile. This characteristic not only minimizes their likelihood of inducing Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) - a significant advantage over other potential allogeneic products - but also suggests that they may persist in the body for a longer duration, enhancing their therapeutic efficacy.