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Novel Medical Food Solution for the Elderly: Pluri & Wilk Collaborate to Develop Human Breast Milk-Derived Food Production on a Commercial Scale

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Pluri (Nasdaq: PLUR) has announced a strategic partnership with Wilk Technologies to create a medical food product derived from human breast milk for the elderly. This innovative product utilizes Pluri's 3D cell-expansion technology in combination with Wilk's cell-cultured milk components. The global elderly nutrition market, valued at $25.2 billion, is projected to reach $39.7 billion within the next decade. This collaboration aims to meet the unique nutritional needs of seniors, enhancing their quality of life while addressing age-related health concerns and chronic illnesses.

Positive
  • Pluri collaborates with Wilk Technologies to leverage advanced 3D cell expansion technology.
  • Focus on a rapidly growing market valued at $25.2 billion, projected to reach $39.7 billion within a decade.
  • Targeting the elderly nutrition market, addressing specific health needs and chronic illnesses.
  • Potential to scale Wilk’s innovative products to commercial readiness.
  • Strategic alignment with Pluri’s mission to tackle age-related health decline and global food insecurity.
Negative
  • No immediate financial benefits or revenue projections reported.
  • Potential risks associated with the scalability and commercial viability of the new product.
  • High dependence on the success of new technology and market acceptance.

Pluri Inc.'s collaboration with Wilk Technologies to develop human breast milk-derived food for the elderly is a notable move in the biomedical sector. Human milk oligosaccharides are known for their role in shaping gut microbiota, which is important for overall health. This collaboration potentially addresses the unique nutritional needs of the elderly, particularly those with chronic illnesses and related nutritional deficiencies.

Pluri's 3D cell expansion technology promises to bring scalability and efficiency to this endeavor, which is essential for commercial viability. This type of innovation is not just about creating a niche product but potentially transforming elderly care by improving nutrition, which is directly linked to better health outcomes in aging populations.

However, it will be important to monitor how well this technology can be adapted for mass production without losing the integrity and efficacy of the nutritional components. Additionally, clinical validations and regulatory approvals will be important milestones.

The elderly nutrition market is currently valued at $25.2 billion and is projected to reach $39.7 billion within the next decade. This represents a 57% growth, making it a lucrative market for innovation. Pluri and Wilk's partnership aims to tap into this expanding market with a unique product that could potentially differentiate them from competitors.

Investors should view this collaboration as a strategic move that aligns with market trends. The financial upside could be significant if the product gains market traction and demonstrates efficacy. Moreover, scaling up using proprietary 3D cell technology could provide cost advantages and higher margins.

However, investors should be cautious of the research and development costs, along with potential regulatory hurdles that could delay market entry. The initial capital outlay might be substantial and return on investment will depend heavily on the speed and success of commercialization.

With the growing geriatric population and a rising prevalence of chronic illnesses, the demand for specialized medical foods is increasing. The collaboration between Pluri and Wilk Technologies aligns perfectly with these demographic trends. The uniqueness of using human breast milk-derived components could provide a competitive edge in the market, attracting both healthcare providers and consumers.

Understanding consumer behavior in the elderly nutrition market is critical. Elderly consumers and their caregivers often prioritize proven health benefits and ease of consumption. The ability to market these products with strong clinical backing could position Pluri and Wilk favorably against competitors who offer more traditional nutritional supplements.

However, marketing such an innovative product will require clear communication of its benefits and rigorous clinical data to build trust among consumers and healthcare professionals. Effective market penetration will depend on strategic partnerships, distribution networks and targeted marketing campaigns.

  • 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.”

About Pluri Inc.

Pluri™ is pushing the boundaries of science and engineering to create cell-based products for commercial use and is pioneering a biotech revolution that promotes global well-being and sustainability. The Company’s technology platform, a patented and validated state-of-the-art 3D cell expansion system, advances novel cell-based solutions for a range of challenges— from medicine and climate change to food scarcity, animal cruelty and beyond. Pluri’s method is uniquely accurate, scalable, cost-effective and consistent from batch to batch. Pluri currently operates in the field of regenerative medicine, foodtech and agtech. The Company also offers CDMO services. Pluri establishes partnerships that leverage the Company’s proprietary 3D cell-based technology across various industries that require effective, mass cell production. To learn more, visit us at www.pluri-biotech.com or follow Pluri on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).

About Wilk Technologies Ltd.

Wilk is dedicated to revolutionizing the dairy and infant formula industry by enabling the sustainable production of high-value dairy products using the lowest carbon footprint. Leveraging over 10 years of industry-leading research, Wilk is focused on two main development tracks: cultured human breast milk ingredients and cultured cow milk ingredients. Wilk produces its solutions for various purposes: enriching infant formula with cultured breastmilk ingredients for babies, alternative dairy healthy diets, and the extrapolation of milk’s nutritional components for the pharma industry. Last year, Wilk Technologies received investments from Danone, Steakholder Foods, & Coca Cola Israel.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other U.S. Federal securities laws. For example, Pluri is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the expected strategic collaboration, the potential to lead to powerful medical food for the elderly and the potential benefits of the collaboration. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of Pluri only and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements about Pluri: changes in technology and market requirements; Pluri may encounter delays or obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing its clinical trials, if necessary; its products may not be approved by regulatory agencies, its technology may not be validated as it progresses further and its methods may not be accepted by the scientific community; it may be unable to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of its products; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with its processes; its products may wind up being more expensive than it anticipates; results in the laboratory may not translate to equally good results in real clinical settings; its patents may not be sufficient; its products may harm recipients or consumers; changes in legislation with an adverse impact; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of Pluri to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Pluri undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Pluri reference is made to Pluri’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contacts

Investors: investor.relations@pluri-biotech.com

Israel Media: Shachar Yental at shacharye@gitam.co.il

U.S. Media: Jessica Daitch at Jessica@quantum-corp.com / Madeline Weirman at Maddie@quantum-corp.com


FAQ

What is the focus of the collaboration between Pluri and Wilk Technologies?

The focus is to develop a medical food product derived from human breast milk for the elderly, utilizing Pluri's 3D cell-expansion technology.

What market are Pluri and Wilk Technologies targeting with their new product?

They are targeting the global elderly nutrition market, which is currently valued at $25.2 billion and is expected to reach $39.7 billion in the next decade.

How does the new product benefit the elderly population?

The product is designed to meet the unique nutritional needs and health concerns of older adults, potentially improving their quality of life.

What technologies are being combined in this collaboration?

The collaboration combines Pluri's proprietary 3D cell-expansion technology with Wilk Technologies' expertise in developing cultured human and animal milk products.

What are the potential risks associated with the collaboration between Pluri and Wilk Technologies?

Potential risks include scalability challenges, commercial viability issues, and high dependence on new technology and market acceptance.

Pluri Inc.

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