BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/
-- Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NWBO) ("NW
Bio"), a biotechnology company developing non-toxic DCVax®
personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, announced
today that the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) TV network has
broadcast a report profiling the first European patient in the
Company's Phase III clinical trial of DCVax-L for Glioblastoma
multiforme brain cancer (GBM), the most common and aggressive form
of brain cancer. This patient was operated on in June, 2013,
by Dr. Keyoumars Ashkan, a senior neurosurgeon at Kings College Hospital and the lead investigator
for the trial in the U.K., to remove his brain tumor and enable him
to enter the DCVax-L trial.
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The BBC report can be seen at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25499045. The BBC report notes
that immune therapies are emerging as one of the most important
areas in cancer research, and that the Phase III trial of DCVax-L
for GBM is one of the most advanced involving personalized immune
therapies. The profiled patient is well known British
Shakespearean actor Robert Demeger, who has appeared regularly on
the stage and in the popular TV series Doctor Who. A further
interview of Mr. Demeger can also be found on the BBC website (see
"Related Videos" at the same link), in which Mr. Demeger describes
in more detail his own condition and circumstances.
As noted by Dr. Ashkan in the BBC report, there is substantial
variation among patients with the "same" GBM brain cancer.
One-size-fits-all treatments cannot address this patient-to-patient
variation. Personalized treatments are needed in order to
address the variability. As described in the BBC report, DCVax-L is
a personalized treatment made from the patient's own immune cells
(dendritic cells) and biomarkers from the patient's own
tumor.
After reviewing and evaluating the DCVax-L technology and the
current international Phase III clinical trial of DCVax-L for GBM,
the National Health System (NIHR) "adopted" this trial as a
nationwide priority in the UK, singling it out for additional
resources and attention, as previously reported by the Company.
"We appreciate the BBC highlighting the importance of the
emerging category of immune therapies for cancer and profiling our
advanced clinical trial, thereby helping to bring this information
to the attention of patients" commented Linda Powers, CEO of NW Bio. "Patients are
urgently seeking new and better treatment options, but often have
difficulty finding out about innovative new technologies such as
DCVax-L. The BBC's report will help many patients become
aware of these potential new treatment options."
About Northwest Biotherapeutics
Northwest Biotherapeutics is developing cancer vaccines designed
to treat a broad range of solid tumor cancers more effectively than
current treatments, and without the side effects of chemotherapy
drugs. NW Bio's proprietary manufacturing technology enables
the Company to produce its personalized vaccine in an efficient,
cost-effective manner. The Company has a broad platform
technology for DCVax dendritic cell-based vaccines. The
Company's lead product, DCVax-L, is currently in a 312-patient
Phase III trial for patients with newly diagnosed Glioblastoma
multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal brain cancer.
The Company's second product, DCVax-Direct, is currently in a
60-patient Phase I/II trial for direct injection into all types of
inoperable solid tumor cancers. The Company has also
conducted a Phase I/II trial with DCVax for metastatic ovarian
cancer together with the University of
Pennsylvania. The Company previously received
clearance from the FDA for a 612-patient Phase III trial with its
third product, DCVax-Prostate, for late stage prostate cancer.
Disclaimer
Statements made in this news release
that are not historical facts, including statements concerning
future treatment of patients using DCVax and future clinical
trials, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such
as "expect," "believe," "intend," "plan," "continue," "may,"
"will," "anticipate," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may
differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking
statement. Specifically, there are a number of important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated, such as the Company's ability to raise
additional capital, risks related to the Company's ability to
enroll patient s in its clinical trials and complete the trials on
a timely basis, the uncertainty of the clinical trials process,
uncertainties about the timely performance of third parties, and
whether the Company's products will demonstrate safety and
efficacy. Additional information on these and other factors,
including Risk Factors, which could affect the Company's results,
is included in its Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
filings. Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned
above or included in the Company's SEC filings that may cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected in any
forward-looking statement. You should not place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of
new information, future events or developments, except as required
by securities laws.
SOURCE Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.