SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 29, 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®, announced today that PharmaCyte held the second annual meeting of its “International Diabetes Consortium” in Vienna, Austria, to review data that has been generated by the Consortium and update its strategic plan for the development of PharmaCyte’s treatment for insulin dependent diabetes.
The two key components of PharmaCyte’s treatment for diabetes are the Melligen cells developed by Prof. Ann Simpson and the Cell-in-a-Box® technology. Melligen cells have been genetically engineered to produce, store and secrete insulin at levels in proportion to the levels of blood sugar in the human body. PharmaCyte’s plan is to encapsulate those live cells and then implant the capsules into a patient with diabetes to act as an “artificial” pancreas, thereby eliminating the need for insulin injections.
The Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented, “The data presented at the meeting of the International Diabetes Consortium clearly show that PharmaCyte is making excellent progress in developing what we believe will become a new game-changing therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes - a debilitating and even life-threatening disease with an ever increasing incidence that affects so many around the world. The marriage of Cell-in-a-Box® with the unique Melligen cells to create a true “bio-artificial pancreas” that is both long-lived and effective will be key to treating this devastating disease.”
In addition to the members of the Consortium, two additional internationally renowned leaders participated in the meeting, diabetes expert, Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Hammes, Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany, who is the Section Head of Endocrinology, and Dr. Ronald L. Korn, Founder, Chairman and Chief Medical Officer, Imaging Endpoints, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their input at this year’s meeting and the experience that they brought to the discussions were invaluable. Initial data, including results showing the safety of the Melligen cells, as well as information on the growth parameters of encapsulated cells and preliminary studies in animal models, were presented and discussed.
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 and diabetes are being developed.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment for cancer involves encapsulating genetically modified live cells capable of converting an inactive chemotherapy drug (ifosfamide) 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, 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 ifosfamide, which is normally activated in the liver, comes in contact with the encapsulated live cells, activation of the 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 Biotech is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes. PharmaCyte Biotech plans to encapsulate a human cell line that has been genetically engineered to produce, store and secrete insulin at levels in proportion 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 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'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.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Investor Relations: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. Investor Relations Department Telephone: 917.595.2856