Israeli biotech firm Pluri has partnered with Ukraine to supply an innovative placenta-derived cell therapy as an emergency treatment for radiation sickness, aiming to bolster preparedness in the event of a nuclear attack or accident.
Ukraine has signed a groundbreaking agreement with Israeli biotech firm Pluri to stockpile and potentially deploy its placenta-based cell therapy, PLX-R18, as a treatment for life-threatening radiation sickness, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The partnership with Ukrainian cord blood bank Hemafund will enable the country to store and distribute 12,000 doses of the therapy, sufficient to treat 6,000 individuals in the event of a nuclear incident. The treatment, which harnesses expanded stem cells from donated placentas, is designed to regenerate blood cells destroyed by acute radiation exposure.
Hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS), a fatal condition caused by high levels of ionizing radiation, can lead to severe anemia, infections, and internal bleeding. Without intervention, it is often fatal within weeks.
Pluri’s proprietary 3D cell expansion technology enables stem cells from a single placenta to be multiplied into billions, capable of treating over 20,000 patients. Once injected, the therapy stimulates the body’s regeneration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
“Our goal is to stand ready to distribute this potential therapy in the event of an emergency,” said Hemafund founder Yaroslav Issakov. “While we hope such treatments remain precautionary, Ukraine must be prepared.”
The cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable results in animal trials, increasing survival rates from 29% to 97% when administered after radiation exposure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already granted PLX-R18 Orphan Drug Designation and cleared it for investigational use.
Pending funding and regulatory approvals from Ukraine’s health ministry, the treatment could become a cornerstone of the country’s emergency preparedness plan. The agreement is expected to generate more than $100 million in value and may lead to expanded clinical trials to formally register the therapy in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala during a working visi...
Iran says no U.S. meeting is planned in Islamabad, despite Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arriving in the Pakistani capital. He is also set to vis...
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Frida...
The United States has issued an international warning accusing Chinese firms, including AI start-up DeepSeek, of alle...
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala during a working visit to the country.
Iran says no U.S. meeting is planned in Islamabad, despite Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arriving in the Pakistani capital. He is also set to visit Muscat and Moscow for regional consultations.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
The United States has issued an international warning accusing Chinese firms, including AI start-up DeepSeek, of allegedly stealing intellectual property from American artificial intelligence labs.
Two local trains collided head-on north of Copenhagen on Thursday (23 April), injuring 17 people, five of them critically, according to emergency services.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
China has urged the European Union to take its concerns seriously over new cybersecurity and digital regulations, warning they could create difficulties for Chinese companies operating in Europe.
Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners of war, according to officials on both sides. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 193 prisoners, including soldiers and border guards, had been returned from Russia, some injured and facing criminal charges.
Türkiye and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a wide-ranging strategic partnership agreement to boost bilateral cooperation, especially in defence. The deal, signed in London, signals a “new era” in relations between the two NATO allies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment