Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. PSTI announced that it has completed patient enrollment in its phase I study evaluating PLX-R18 as a treatment for incomplete hematopoietic recovery following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), in the United States and Israel. 

The multi-center, open-label, dose-escalating study will evaluate the safety of intramuscular injections of PLX-R18 cells in 20 subjects with incomplete hematopoietic recovery persisting for at least three months following HCT. The follow-up period is 12 months. Incomplete hematopoietic recovery poses a significant risk to HCT recipients who fail to respond to standard-of-care treatments, making them vulnerable to infections and bleeding.

Safety is the primary endpoint, with efficacy endpoints including changes in white blood cells, platelets counts, hemoglobin levels, changes in blood product requirements, and changes in quality of life. The company expects to report top-line efficacy results during the first quarter of 2021.

Shares of the company have soared 171.4% year to date compared with the industry’s growth of 2.7%.

Pluristem is a company that focuses on the development of placenta-based cell therapy products. Its patented PLX (PLacentaleXpanded) cells are being evaluated in multiple indications.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Pluristem currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector include Emergent Biosolutions Inc. EBS, Horizon Therapeutics Public Limited Company HZNP and Alimera Sciences Inc. ALIM. While Emergent and Horizon Therapeutics sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Alimera carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Emergent’s earnings estimates have increased from $3.45 to $5.60 for 2020 and from $3.73 to $6.67 for 2021 over the past 60 days.

Horizon Therapeutics’ earnings estimates have increased from $1.77 to $2.86 for 2020 and from $2.72 to $4.29 for 2021 over the past 60 days.

Alimera’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $2.33 to $1.31 for 2020 and from 63 cents to 52 cents for 2021 over the past 60 days.

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