Nuvilex Signs Agreement to Study Development of Cannabis-Based Cancer Treatments
May 09 2014 - 9:00AM
Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), a clinical-stage international
biotechnology company providing cell and gene therapy solutions for
the treatment of diseases, announced today that it has signed a
Research Agreement with the University of Northern Colorado to
perform initial studies in the development of cancer treatments
that combine the proprietary live-cell encapsulation technology
known as Cell-in-a-Box® with constituents of Cannabis known as
cannabinoids. Richard M. Hyslop, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and
Biochemistry at the University of Northern Colorado and member of
the Scientific Advisory Board at Medical Marijuana Sciences, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Nuvilex, will lead the efforts.
"Dr. Hyslop and his team at the University of Northern Colorado
will seek to establish a solid foundation for future preclinical
studies and clinical trials that will be needed as Medical
Marijuana Sciences develops treatments for serious and deadly
diseases such as brain and pancreatic cancers," said Kenneth L.
Waggoner, CEO and president of Nuvilex. "The goal is to
develop a Cell-in-a-Box® /cannabinoid combination that has
anticancer effects coupled with low toxicity similar in concept to
Nuvilex's pancreatic cancer treatment currently being prepared for
Phase 2b clinical trials that uses the Cell-in-a-Box® technology
with low doses of the chemotherapeutic drug ifosfamide."
The initial studies to be performed by Dr. Hyslop will be to
develop methods for the identification, separation and
quantification of constituents (prodrugs) of Cannabis that may be
used in combination with Nuvilex's Cell-in-a-Box® technology. In
addition, studies will be undertaken to identify the appropriate
cell type that can convert the selected cannabinoid prodrugs from
their naturally-occurring forms into substances that are capable of
killing cancer cells. Once identified, the selected cells will
be encapsulated using Nuvilex's Cell-in-a-Box® technology. The
encapsulated cells and cannabinoid prodrugs identified by these
studies will then be combined and used for future studies to
evaluate their anticancer effectiveness.
About Nuvilex: Nuvilex (OTCQB:NVLX) 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. Nuvilex's treatment for
pancreatic cancer involves the widely used anticancer prodrug
ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert
ifosfamide into its active or "cancer-killing" form. Nuvilex is
also working towards clinical trials associated with the symptoms
of advanced pancreatic cancer and other abdominal cancers.
Nuvilex's subsidiary, Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc., is
dedicated to the development of cancer treatments based upon
chemical constituents of marijuana known as cannabinoids. To
do so, it will examine ways to exploit the benefits of
Cell-in-a-Box® technology in optimizing the anticancer
effectiveness of cannabinoids against cancers while minimizing or
eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with
cancer treatments. This provides Medical Marijuana Sciences a
unique opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly
cancers, such as those of the pancreas, brain, breast and prostate,
that affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every
year.
Safe Harbor:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
regarding Nuvilex 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 Nuvilex or its management, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important
factors, many of which are beyond the control of Nuvilex, that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those set
forth in the forward-looking statements include Nuvilex's ability
to continue as a going concern, delays in clinical trials or flaws
or defects regarding its products, changes in relevant legislation
or regulatory requirements, uncertainty of protection of Nuvilex's
intellectual property and Nuvilex's continued ability to raise
capital. Nuvilex does not assume any obligation to update any of
these forward-looking statements.
More information about Nuvilex and Medical Marijuana Sciences
can be found at www.nuvilex.com and
www.medicalmarijuanasciences.com. It can also be obtained by
contacting Investor Relations.
CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts:
Marlin Molinaro
Marmel Communications, LLC
Ph: 702.434.8692
mmolinarofc@aol.com
Dillon Heins
CorProminence, LLC
Ph: 218.839.9051
dillonh@corprominence.com
Media Contact:
Jules Abraham
JQA Partners, LLC
Ph: 917.885.7378
jabraham@jqapartners.com