SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 19, 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 Prof. Hans-Peter Hammes, M.D., has accepted an appointment to PharmaCyte’s Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. Hammes is recognized internationally as a preeminent figure in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. In addition to his appointment to the Board, Prof. Hammes has agreed to become a member of PharmaCyte’s international Diabetes Consortium and to serve as a consultant to PharmaCyte.
The Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented, “We are honored that Prof. Hammes has agreed to join our Scientific Advisory Board and to serve as a consultant to the company. Prof. Hammes was appointed to the Board because he is one of Europe’s leading authorities in all aspects of diabetes and is well versed on the types of studies that will be needed to develop an effective treatment for the disease. It is indeed a privilege to have him join our team. Prof. Hammes’ enthusiasm for the work being done by the international Diabetes Consortium was shown by his active participation at this year’s annual meeting of the Consortium recently held in Vienna, Austria. Every member of the Consortium felt that Prof. Hammes’ contributions were invaluable. Prof. Hammes has already demonstrated he is going to be a major resource to Pharmacyte, as we develop our treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes.”
Prof. Hans-Peter Hammes, M.D., is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at the University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Prof. Hammes received his medical degree from Westfälische Wilhelm-University in Münster, Germany. Since graduating in 1980, Prof. Hammes has held several positions in the field of diabetes, with emphasis on the biochemistry of diabetic complications, diabetic retinopathy, angiogenesis and predictors of vascular complication from diabetes. Prof. Hammes is recognized worldwide for his work on the retinopathy (damage to the eyes) that can result from diabetes.
Prof. Hammes was trained in diabetes by the one of the world’s most recognized authorities on the treatment of diabetes, Prof. Konrad Federlin, at the University of Giessen, Germany. In 1996, Prof. Hammes was named “Diabetologist” by the German Diabetes Association. Prof. Hammes is a member of several professional organizations, including the German Society of Internal Medicine, the German Society of Endocrinology and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Prof. Hammes was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Camillo Golgi Prize awarded by EASD at its annual meeting. He has co-authored over 200 scientific articles and books involving diabetes.
“I am very much looking forward to contributing to this exciting field on which so many patients with type 1 diabetes put a lot of hope. Since the early days of clinical training by Konrad Federlin, islet replacement therapy was on the agenda, and the prevention of diabetic microvascular complications by islet transplantation was among my earliest experimental studies,” said Prof. Hans-Peter Hames.
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’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 is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes. PharmaCyte 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 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 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