Nuvilex Contracts with University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna to Conduct Preclinical Studies to Develop Diabetes Treatment
October 20 2014 - 9:00AM
InvestorsHub NewsWire
SILVER SPRING, MD - October 20, 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 Collaborative Research Agreement
(CRA) with the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria
(University). The CRA calls for the University to perform “in
vitro” and animal studies that use the
Cell-in-a-Box® cellulose-based live cell encapsulation
technology to develop a new treatment for insulin-dependent
diabetes. Nuvilex has been granted worldwide, royalty-free, rights
to use the results of the research conducted by the University for
all commercial purposes.
Nuvilex’s CEO and President, Kenneth L. Waggoner, said of the
agreement, “The signing of the Collaborative Research Agreement
with the University represents a significant development for
Nuvilex. There are several individuals at the University who are
exceedingly familiar with the Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
Most notably is Prof. Dr. Walter H. Günzburg, who is a co-developer
of the technology and Nuvilex’s Chief Scientific Officer. Dr.
Günzburg has also played a major role in the development of our
pancreatic cancer treatment that is based on the
Cell-in-a-Box® technology. We consider our new
relationship with the University to be a “major salvo” as we join
the battle to find a better treatment option for the many millions
of people around the world who suffer from insulin-dependent
diabetes. In addition, having the University ‘on board’ lays the
foundation for the establishment of a Diabetes Consortium that we
hope will, in the relatively near future, come to include
institutions and individuals throughout Europe as well as other
countries as we strive to develop a ‘bio-artificial’ pancreas.”
Among the initial studies to be performed by the University will be
the testing of an insulin-producing cell line developed by the
University of Technology, Sydney, to determine whether that cell
line has the potential to form tumors when implanted into animals;
i.e. whether those cells are “tumorigenic.” If this cell line
proves to be non-tumorigenic, then cells from this cell line will
be encapsulated using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
Additional animal studies will be carried out at the University to
determine if these encapsulated cells can act as a form of
“bio-artificial pancreas” in animal model systems. Dr. Günzburg and
his associates have already worked with these insulin-producing
cells in an in vitro setting and have confirmed that they
can produce insulin in direct response to the levels of glucose
(sugar) to which they are exposed.
Waggoner added, “The establishment of this relationship with the
University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna marks an important stage
in the development of Nuvilex as a multi-dimensional biotech
company. In addition to our work in the cancer arena, we are now
involved in the development of a novel treatment for diabetes. This
is an area of medicine that affects over 380 million individuals
worldwide and where improvements in treatment are constantly
needed. We believe that the true platform nature of the
Cell-in-a-Box® encapsulation technology will prove to be
a major asset and will ultimately set Nuvilex apart from other
competitors in this field.”
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
cmatschullt@bplifescience.com