LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., March 13, 2017 (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 it has named Leonard Makowka, M.D., Ph.D. as Senior Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors. Dr. Makowka will serve as a major resource to PharmaCyte in developing therapies that utilize the Cell-in-a-Box® technology. He will also assist the company in developing strategic and scientific plans, identifying and introducing potential business collaborators and clinical partners and facilitating joint ventures, licensing arrangements and other strategic transactions with PharmaCyte.
“We are thrilled and fortunate to have Dr. Makowka join PharmaCyte’s leadership team," said PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner. "His experience and expertise will be a tremendous asset in the development of our therapies for cancer and diabetes using PharmaCyte’s live-cell encapsulation technology. Dr. Makowka’s skills as a medical doctor translate well into our current life-cycle, and his business experience and contacts will place PharmaCyte in good stead.”
Dr. Makowka commented, “It is with tremendous enthusiasm that I join PharmaCyte's senior management team and Board as a senior strategic advisor. What drew me to PharmaCyte was its novel and profound delivery platform technology for cellular therapy in numerous areas of human disease. I am excited to aid in the further development of these treatment strategies and to help guide these therapies thru the clinical process.”
Dr. Makowka formerly served as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Director of Transplantation Services at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He also served as Professor of Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Makowka later became Executive Director of the Comprehensive Liver Disease Center at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, where he created a multiple disciplinary approach to the treatment of liver disease. Dr. Makowka has since retired from the active practice of medicine and has experienced a successful career in developing investment and business strategies for companies in the healthcare, life sciences, finance, and other industries.
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Makowka has transitioned himself as a distinguished clinical and transplantation surgeon and medical researcher to a successful entrepreneur, advisor and board member in a wide range of industries. Since receiving his M.D. degree from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1977 and his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Pathology in 1982, he has published over 400 articles and chapters in both clinical and basic scientific research publications.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapies 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 therapies for several types of cancer and diabetes are being developed. PharmaCyte’s therapy for cancer involves encapsulating genetically engineered human cells that convert an inactive chemotherapy drug into its active or “cancer-killing” form. These encapsulated cells are implanted as close to the patient’s cancerous tumor as possible. Once implanted, a chemotherapy drug that is normally activated in the liver (ifosfamide) is given intravenously at one-third the normal dose. The ifosfamide is carried by the circulatory system to where the encapsulated cells have been implanted. When the ifosfamide comes in contact with the encapsulated cells they act as an artificial liver and activate the chemotherapy drug at the source of the cancer. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven effective and safe to use in past clinical trials and results in no side effects.
In addition to developing a novel therapy 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. Once the encapsulated cells are implanted in a diabetic patient they will function as a “bio-artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of risk factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Contact: Investor Relations: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. Investor Relations Department Telephone: 917.595.2856 Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com