SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 07, 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®, announced today the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, will attend the 34th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, California, from January 10-15, 2016. PharmaCyte has a full schedule of meetings in which the CEO will present and update PharmaCyte’s platform technology in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and diabetes to potential institutional investors, pharmaceutical companies, and the life science media.
The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference brings together corporate leaders, financial sponsors and institutional investors to explore markets and sector trends. The annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is a signature showcase event for these important stakeholders to facilitate success in the area of healthcare around the globe. This week PharmaCyte released a list of its milestones for 2016, which included next week’s J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Shareholders and the investment community can read the complete list of milestones here: http://www.pharmacytebiotech.com/pharmacyte-biotech-outlines-2016-milestones-as-its-pancreatic-cancer-treatment-moves-into-a-clinical-trial.
PharmaCyte’s pancreatic cancer treatment consists of encapsulating genetically modified live cells that convert the anticancer prodrug ifosfamide into its cancer-killing form and placing those capsules as close to the tumor in the pancreas as possible. Low doses of the inactive chemotherapy drug ifosfamide are then given to the patient. When the ifosfamide, which is carried by blood to where the capsules have been placed, comes in contact with the live cells, the drug is converted into its cancer killing form at the site of the cancer rather than in the liver where conversion normally takes place. This technology enables high concentrations of the chemotherapeutic drug to be delivered to the source of the cancer and directly targets the cancer without any treatment-related side effects like those normally associated with cancer chemotherapy.
PharmaCyte is preparing for its pancreatic cancer clinical trial in the United States with study sites in Europe and Australia. The trial will address the critical unmet medical need that exists when a patient’s non-metastatic, pancreatic cancer no longer benefits from receiving the “gold standard” treatment – the combination of gemcitabine and Abraxane®. Translational Drug Development (TD2) will be coordinating the trial globally, and TD2 will be conducting the trial in the United States. Clinical Network Services (CNS) will be conducting the trial in Europe and Australia in alliance with TD2.
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 that convert 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. 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 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 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