Novel Medical Food Solution for the Elderly

Pluri & Wilk Collaborate to Develop Human Breast Milk-Derived Food Production on a Commercial Scale

• New production process will be developed based on Pluri’s proprietary 3D cell expansion technology
• Human breast milk oligosaccharides are known to shape the gut microbiota and thus provide health benefits to adults
• Global elderly nutrition market is valued at $25.2 billion, estimated to reach $39.7 billion in less than 10 years
  

HAIFA, Israel, May 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading biotechnology company Pluri Inc. (Nasdaq: PLUR) (TASE: PLUR) (“Pluri” or the “Company”), which transforms cells into solutions that promote global wellbeing and sustainability, today announced a strategic collaboration with Wilk Technologies Ltd. (TASE: WILK) (“Wilk Technologies” or “Wilk”), a developer of authentic, cell-cultured human and animal milk components. By combining Pluri’s cutting-edge 3D cell-expansion technology with Wilk’s expertise in developing cultured human breast and animal milk products, the strategic collaboration will use the components of breast milk to develop a unique medical food intended for the elderly on a commercial scale.

Medical foods for the elderly are specifically formulated and designed to meet the unique nutritional needs and health concerns of older adults. Demand for medical food products is growing, driven by the growing geriatric population and increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses impacting adults who may have nutritional deficiencies stemming from their illness or its related treatment.

“Wilk Technologies is committed to unlocking the potential of cell-based medical foods,” said Avital Beck, Ph.D., CEO of Wilk Technologies. “This collaboration presents an opportunity to leverage Pluri’s 3D cell expansion technology with Wilk’s unique cell lines. The collaboration aims to develop and scale Wilk’s innovative products to commercial readiness, potentially leading to powerful medical food for the elderly.”

“At Pluri, our mission is to leverage cell-based technology to tackle humanity’s most pressing issues, like age-related health decline and global food insecurity,” said Yaky Yanay, CEO and President of Pluri. “This collaboration with Wilk Technologies perfectly aligns with our vision as we harness the unique properties of breast milk cells to create medical food solutions for a rapidly growing elderly population. We’re thrilled about the potential of this collaboration to improve the quality of life for millions and revolutionize senior health on a global scale.”