Reeve Visits Proneuron
Christopher Reeve, actor, advocate and chairman of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), visited Israel on July 28 on a five-day visit as a guest of the Deputy Prime Minister .
Christopher Reeve, famous for his portrayal of the role of Superman in the Hollywood film, was seriously injured in an equestrian competition in 1995. Ever since Reeve has become a prominent advocate in search of treatments and a cure for paralysis. At the Weizmann Science Based Industries Parkl Reeve met with Dr. Michal Schwartz who pioneered in developing a ground-breaking surgical procedure to reverse paraplegia. The scientific work was developed by Proneuron Biotechnologies, involves harvesting the patient's white blood cells, processing them, and injecting these macrophages into the spinal sac to regenerate severed nerve conductors. The most salient criterion is that treatment must be initiated within seven days of injury. (IHTIR 6/2002)
The therapy, which recently completed Phase I FDA approved clinical studies, demonstrated preliminary promising results with the first eight patients who were flown to Israel for treatment and follow up from around the world. The technology employed by Proneuron was licensed from the Weizmann Institute and the company's headquarters are located next to the Institute.
The positive Phase I results have led to cautious optimism about the potential of the treatment. The Pjase II trials are planned at three locations in the United States and the Sheba Hospital in Israel. One of the American centers jointly with Proneuron has received a $1.0 grant from the BIRD-F Foundation to establish the cell center.. As part of the trials is the procedure as the cells that are implanted need to be harvested and treated at the site where the patient is treated. The patients cells are first extracted, then treated then reintroduced into the body.
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