SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 13, 2015 (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 reported that its partner, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), has published a review article on cell and gene therapies for the treatment of diabetes. The publication, titled "The use of β-cell transcription factors in engineering artificial β cells from non-pancreatic tissue," which was authored by a member of PharmaCyte Biotech's Diabetes Consortium, Prof. Ann M. Simpson and her colleagues at UTS, appeared in the prestigious Nature publishing group scientific journal Gene Therapy. This review can be located by clicking here.
The article reports that cell and gene therapies have shown promise as a potential cure for Type 1 diabetes through the genetic engineering of non-pancreatic cells that makes them capable of regulating blood glucose levels by producing insulin on demand. Such genetic modification and augmentation of non-pancreatic cells has the ultimate goal of producing glucose-responsive "artificial" β insulin-producing cells that mimic the function of pancreatic β cells in non-diabetic individuals.
Using some of the technology discussed in the review article, Prof. Simpson and her colleagues have developed the Melligen cell line, a human non-pancreatic cell line that originated from liver cells that were genetically engineered to produce and store insulin and secrete it at levels in proportion to the levels of glucose (blood sugar) in the human body. The Melligen cell line is currently undergoing an initial evaluation for its utility in PharmaCyte Biotech's Cell-in-a-Box®-based treatment of diabetes, the first of a number of preclinical studies that will be performed by PharmaCyte Biotech's international Diabetes Consortium.
Kenneth L. Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte Biotech, said, "We are delighted by this important publication from one of the key members of our international Diabetes Consortium. Prof. Simpson is a world-renowned scientist in the field of diabetes and, as this publication shows, is at the forefront of research into finding a cure for this disease."
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on 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 unique and patented technology will be used as a platform upon which treatments for several types of cancer, including advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer, and diabetes are being built. PharmaCyte Biotech's treatment for pancreatic cancer involves low doses of the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its active or "cancer-killing" form. These capsules are placed as close to the cancerous tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the cancer. This "targeted chemotherapy" has proven remarkably effective in past clinical trials. PharmaCyte Biotech is also working towards improving the quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other types of solid cancerous tumors. In addition, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. In doing so, PharmaCyte Biotech is examining ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box® technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides PharmaCyte Biotech the rare opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly diseases, such as cancer of the pancreas, brain and breast, which affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every year.
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 Biotech or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of PharmaCyte Biotech, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. They include PharmaCyte Biotech'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 Biotech's intellectual property and PharmaCyte Biotech's continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte Biotech does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyteBiotech.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts:
Jamien Jones
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 103
jjones@bplifescience.com
Source: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.