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.
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 .