Nuvilex Secures Worldwide License for Insulin-Producing Cells for Use in Developing Diabetes Treatment
October 16 2014 - 9:00AM
InvestorsHub NewsWire
SILVER SPRING, MD
- October 16, 2014 - InvestorsHub NewsWire - Nuvilex,
Inc. (OTCQB:
NVLX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cell
and gene therapy solutions for the treatment of diseases announced
today that it has entered into a license with the University of
Technology in Sydney, Australia (UTS), that grants Nuvilex the
worldwide rights to use human insulin-producing cells, termed
“Melligen” cells, developed by Prof. Ann Simpson and her colleagues
at UTS for the development of a treatment for insulin-dependent
(Type 1 or juvenile-onset) diabetes. Type 1 diabetics are unable to
produce the insulin required to transport glucose (blood sugar)
from the blood to the inside of cells where it is used as a source
of energy. The beta islet cells of the pancreas (Islets of
Langerhans) of Type 1 diabetics that normally produce insulin have
been destroyed by an autoimmune disease.
Prof. Simpson said of the opportunity to further the Melligen cell
line, “I am pleased that after many years of diabetes research at
UTS, Nuvilex will now be developing this technology for
commercialization to a global market. My team and I are excited by
the prospect of working with Nuvilex to eliminate daily injections
for insulin-dependent diabetic patients.”
Nuvilex’s CEO and President, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented, “The
execution of this exclusive worldwide license with UTS for the use
of the Melligen cells represents a major milestone in Nuvilex’s
efforts to develop a treatment for Type 1 diabetes. This is a
disease that affects millions of individuals around the world. Some
of the complications diabetics suffer from are eye disease, foot
and leg problems, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. These
complications can be dangerous and even life-threatening. If we are
successful, those inflicted with Type 1 diabetes will be freed from
depending on daily insulin injections or the use of insulin pumps
as well as the constant need to monitor their blood glucose levels
and modify their diets.”
Melligen cells were originally derived from a human liver cancer
cell line. Use of the Melligen cells is contingent upon whether
they form tumors when implanted into animals – in other words,
whether they are tumorigenic. Experiments will be carried out at
the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, under the
leadership of Prof. Dr. Walter H. Günzburg, a Professor of Virology
at that university and the Chief Scientific Officer of Nuvilex and
the Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Nuvilex’s partner
companies, SG Austria and Austrianova. These experiments are
designed to determine whether or not the Melligen cells are
tumorigenic. If the Melligen cells prove to be tumorigenic,
attempts will be made to genetically modify them so that they are
no longer tumorigenic or an alternative non-tumorigenic
insulin-producing cell line will be developed.
If the Melligen cells are not tumorigenic, Nuvilex plans to have
them encapsulated using the novel and proprietary
Cell-in-a-Box® cellulose-based live cell technology as
part of its planned treatment for diabetes. It is believed that
animal testing of the encapsulated Melligen cells will prove that
they are capable of producing insulin “on demand” in diabetic
animals. As blood glucose levels rise in animals implanted with
Melligen cells, these cells will produce increasing amounts of
insulin in response. When blood glucose levels fall, less insulin
will be produced by the Melligen cells. Ultimately, encapsulated
Melligen cells will be placed into patients with Type 1 diabetes
where, hopefully, they will serve as a form of “bio-artificial
pancreas.” In laboratory studies, Melligen cells have been shown to
respond directly to the amount of glucose in their surroundings.
They have already been successfully encapsulated using the
Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
Mr. Waggoner stated further, “Nuvilex’s
Cell-in-a-Box®-based treatment, which will serve as a
type of bio-artificial pancreas, will differ from those being
developed by other companies in a number of ways. First, unlike the
efforts of other companies, the cells Nuvilex will be using are not
obtained from the pancreas - they are not insulin-producing
pancreatic beta islet cells. Significant difficulties have been
encountered in keeping such islet cells alive and functioning after
they have been implanted inside the body. Second, we believe the
cellulose-based Cell-in-a-Box® capsules are more capable
of maintaining the lifespan and function of the encapsulated cells
inside the body than are the other cell encapsulation materials,
such as alginate (derived from seaweed), used by others. Third,
when present in the body, Cell-in-a-Box® capsules do not
cause irritation or inflammation of surrounding tissues. Fourth,
these capsules do not break down even after long periods of time
(greater than 2 years) after implantation in the body. Finally, the
Cell-in-a-Box® capsules do not elicit a response from
the body’s immune system that would destroy the capsules and the
insulin-producing cells inside them. In our opinion, similar
statements cannot be made for other diabetes treatments based on
live cell encapsulation that are being developed anywhere in the
world in an effort to produce a long-lasting bio-artificial
pancreas.”
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 low doses of the
anticancer prodrug ifosfamide and encapsulated live cells that
convert ifosfamide into its active or "cancer-killing" form.
Nuvilex is also working towards improving the quality of life for
patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for
other types of cancer using the Cell-in-a-Box®
technology. In addition, Nuvilex is developing cancer treatments
based upon chemical constituents of Cannabis, known as
cannabinoids. To do so, Nuvilex is examining ways to exploit the
benefits of the Cell-in-a-Box® technology in optimizing
the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or
outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually
associated with cancer treatments. This provides Nuvilex a unique
opportunity to develop “green” approaches to fighting deadly
cancers, such as those of the pancreas, brain and breast, which
affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every
year.
Safe Harbor
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding
Nuvilex and its future plans 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 or unsuccessful results in clinical trials or flaws
or defects regarding its product candidates, 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 its forward-looking statements.
More information about Nuvilex can be found at www.nuvilex.com. It can also be obtained by contacting
Investor Relations.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Clare Matschullat
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 106
cmtschullt@bplifescience.com