Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd., whose Chief Scientific Officer is Hadassah University Medical Center's Prof. Benjamin Reubinoff--Director of the its Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center--received a 1.3 million-dollar grant from Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) to help finance its development of a treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Cell Cure, established in 2005, manufactures diverse cell products, sourced from clinical-grade human embryonic stem cells. Its current programs include developing cells for the treatment of macular degeneration, Parkinson's disease, and cells potentially useful in treating multiple sclerosis. Cell Cure's plan for its cell-based product, OpRegen(R) includes filing an application to commence human clinical trials in 2013.

"We wish to thank the Office of the Chief Scientist for their participation in advancing this important new application of regenerative medicine," said Charles Irving, Chief Executive of Cell Cure. "We anticipate that OpRegen(R) will make a real difference in the quality of life of the aging population in many industrialized countries," he noted, "and hence it is a strategic investment for not only Israel, but the world as a whole."

AMD is a severe form of acute vision loss and the leading cause of blindness in older people. It affects that part of the retina which is most critical in everyday tasks, such as reading and recognizing faces. "I join with Dr. Irving in thanking OCS for its generous support in accelerating these advances in stem cell biology into the clinic," said Prof. Reubinoff.