JUPITER, Fla.--BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. ("BRT" or the "Company") (OTCBB:BRTX), a life sciences company focused on adult stem cell-based therapies for various personal medical applications, today announced that it has entered into a two-year collaborative Research Agreement ("Agreement") with Pfizer Inc. ("Pfizer") to study human brown adipose tissue and cell lines.
Under the terms of the Agreement, BRT and Pfizer will jointly conduct a study titled "Development and Validation of a Human Brown Adipose Cell Model," which will seek to further characterize the identity and metabolic function of these cell lines. BRT has accumulated a large collection of human brown adipose tissue samples, preadipocyte cell lines and immortalized cell lines for use in potentially developing a cell therapy product. The results of the research may be used by both companies.
Mark Weinreb, Chief Executive Officer of BRT, said, "Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical leader and we are very excited to be working with it on our ThermoStem® program. Research into human brown fat to date has suggested that brown fat is correlated with the maintenance and regulation of metabolism. Ultimately, we will look to determine if our cell lines have utility in the treatment of obesity, which is responsible for many diseases, including type 2 diabetes. We look forward to a productive research project for both our companies."
About BRT's ThermoStem® Program
Brown fat is a population of adipose (fat) tissue found in the human body and plays a key role in the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying energy homeostasis in mammals. Human newborns and hibernating mammals have high levels of brown fat and its main function is to generate body heat and regulate metabolism. Recent studies have demonstrated that brown fat is present in the adult human body and may be correlated with the maintenance and regulation of metabolism.
In June 2011, BRT launched the initial research phase of what it believes will develop into a technology that involves the use of brown fat in a cell-based therapeutic program referred to as the ThermoStem® Program. The ThermoStem® Program will focus on treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as for hypertension, other metabolic disorders and cardiac deficiencies, and will involve the study of stem cells, several genes, proteins and/or mechanisms that are related to these diseases and disorders.
About BioRestorative Therapies, Inc.
BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. (www.biorestorative.com) develops products and medical procedures using cell and tissue protocols, primarily involving adult stem cells, including:
- brtxDISC™ (Disc Implanted Stem Cells) is an investigational non-surgical treatment for protruding, bulging and herniated lumbar discs that is intended for patients who have failed non-invasive procedures and face the prospect of surgery. The treatment involves culturing a patient's own stem cells and then delivering them via a proprietary medical device to the damaged region of the disc in an outpatient procedure.
- ThermoStem® is a treatment using brown fat stem cells that is under development for metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity. Initial preclinical research indicates that increased amounts of brown fat in the body may be responsible for additional caloric burning as well as reduced glucose and lipid levels.
- brtx-C Cosmetic is based on the development of a human cellular extract that has been demonstrated in in vitro skin studies to increase the production of collagen and fibronectin, which are proteins that are essential to combating the aging of skin. Potential cosmetic uses are being explored with third parties.
The Company also offers plant stem cell-based facial creams and beauty products under the Stem Pearls® brand at www.stempearls.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks, including those set forth in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements.