SILVER SPRING, Md., June 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted treatments for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, today announced that its entire senior management team will attend the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) 52nd annual meeting to be held June 3-7, 2016, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Collective Wisdom – The Future of Patient Centered Care and Research.”
Kenneth L. Waggoner, the Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte Biotech, stated, “This year’s ASCO annual meeting will be invaluable as we head into the final preparations for our Phase 2b clinical trial in advanced pancreatic cancer. During ASCO we will host a medical and scientific discussion of our therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer among top oncologist investigators who have expressed interest in PharmaCyte’s technology and participation in our clinical trial. Joining me will be Dr. Gerald W. Crabtree, Dr. Matthias Löhr, Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, Prof. Dr. Walter H. Günzburg, Dr. Brian Salmons and Dr. Sanjay Batra. Presentations will be made by our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Günzburg, and Dr. Salmons - the co-developers of our Cell-in-a-Box® live cell encapsulation technology. Presentations will also be made by Dr. Löhr and Dr. Hidalgo. Dr. Löhr is the Chairman of our Medical and Scientific Advisory Board (Board) and was the Principal Investigator of the two earlier clinical trials where our technology was found to be safe and effective in treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Dr. Hidalgo is a member of the Board and one of the principal architects of the design of our clinical trial.”
ASCO is one of the largest organizations in the world devoted to the advancement of treatments for all types of cancer, and its annual meeting is the one of the largest educational and scientific meetings in the world. Over 32,000 individuals from around the globe have registered for this year’s meeting with over 50% of these from outside the United States. More than 26,000 of the total number of registrants are oncology professionals. Approximately 6,000 abstracts of presentations have been submitted for consideration by ASCO. At this meeting, reports of studies on all types of cancer will be presented. For PharmaCyte, presentations on advanced pancreatic cancer and clinical trials will be of paramount importance.
In addition to scientists and clinicians, representatives from large and small pharmaceutical and biotech companies and Contract Research Organizations, all with an interest in cancer, will be in attendance. ASCO’s annual meeting provides representatives from all areas of the cancer spectrum the opportunity to interact and offers an unparalleled opportunity for the free exchange of information among meeting attendees.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing and preparing to commercialize treatments for cancer and diabetes based upon a proprietary cellulose-based live cell encapsulation technology known as “Cell-in-a-Box®.” This technology will be used as a platform upon which treatments for several types of cancer and diabetes are being developed. PharmaCyte’s treatment for cancer involves encapsulating genetically modified live cells that convert an inactive chemotherapy drug into its active or “cancer-killing” form. These encapsulated live cells are placed as close to a cancerous tumor as possible. Once implanted in a patient, a chemotherapy drug which needs to be activated in the body (ifosfamide) is then given intravenously at one-third the normal dose. The ifosfamide is carried by the circulatory system to where the encapsulated cells have been placed. When the ifosfamide, which is normally activated in the liver, comes in contact with the encapsulated live cells, activation of the chemotherapy drug takes place at the source of the cancer without any side effects from the chemotherapy. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven remarkably effective and safe to use in past clinical trials.
In addition to developing a novel treatment for cancer, PharmaCyte is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. PharmaCyte plans to encapsulate a human cell line that has been genetically engineered to produce, store and release insulin in response to the levels of blood sugar in the human body. The encapsulation will be done using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
Safe Harbor
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding PharmaCyte Biotech and its future events and results that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan" and similar expressions, as they relate to PharmaCyte or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of PharmaCyte, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. They include PharmaCyte's ability to continue as a going concern, delays or unsuccessful results in preclinical and clinical trials, flaws or defects regarding its product candidates, changes in relevant legislation or regulatory requirements, uncertainty of protection of PharmaCyte’s intellectual property and PharmaCyte’s continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Investor Relations: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. Investor Relations Department Telephone: 917.595.2856 Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com