PharmaCyte Biotech's Partner Austrianova Opens New Facilities in Singapore
January 29 2015 - 9:00AM
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 that its partner,
Austrianova, has officially opened its new facilities at Synapse
within Biopolis in Singapore. Biopolis is a world-class biomedical
sciences hub where key research organizations and institutes are
located from around the globe. An "open house" event for guests to
visit the new facilities in Singapore was held on January 29, 2015.
The Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte Biotech, Kenneth L.
Waggoner, attended the opening ceremonies.
These new facilities include office and laboratory space in a
self-contained unit that has been specifically designed and built
to accommodate all of the scientific work being undertaken by
Austrianova. The work to be carried out in these facilities will be
in the areas of molecular and cellular biology, cell culture,
analytical purposes and assay development. Importantly, the
cellulose-based live cell encapsulation process, known as
Cell-in-a-Box®, will be undertaken for research at the laboratory
and preclinical levels.
Austrianova will use these facilities to produce the
encapsulated cells that will be used for PharmaCyte Biotech's: (i)
preclinical studies on the accumulation of malignant ascites fluid
that normally accompanies the growth of abdominal cancers being
performed by Translational Drug Development (TD2) in the United
States; (ii) preclinical studies on other cancers; and (iii)
preclinical work and studies to be done in connection with the
development of PharmaCyte Biotech's treatment of diabetes. In
addition, these new facilities will be used to develop
"reprogrammed" cells that may be needed for PharmaCyte Biotech's
efforts to develop treatments for serious and deadly cancers that
are combinations of the Cell-in-a-Box® technology and cannabinoid
or cannabinoid-like compounds.
It is important to differentiate the work that will be done by
Austrianova for PharmaCyte Biotech in the new Singaporean
facilities from the work to be done by Austrianova in its cGMP
(current Good Manufacturing Practices) facilities that opened late
last year in Bangkok, Thailand. The Singaporean facilities will be
used for cell encapsulation for preclinical studies. The Thailand
facilities will be used to encapsulate cells for PharmaCyte
Biotech's clinical trial in ascites fluid accumulation and for the
clinical trial related to the unbearable pain that accompanies
advanced pancreatic cancer that will be done by TD2. The Thailand
facilities will also be used for PharmaCyte Biotech's Phase 2b
clinical trial of its pancreatic cancer treatment in patients with
advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer being done by Clinical
Network Services (CNS) in Australia. PharmaCyte Biotech's treatment
in the Phase 2b clinical trial will be compared with the best
available therapy for the disease.
Mr. Waggoner stated, "The opening of these new facilities in
Singapore represents the achievement of another major milestone for
both Austrianova and PharmaCyte Biotech. These new facilities
should help greatly facilitate the progress of our preclinical
studies in cancer and diabetes. We congratulate our colleagues at
Austrianova on this successful achievement. It was an honor to join
them during the grand opening celebrations of these remarkable
state-of-the-art custom designed laboratory facilities."
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, including advanced,
inoperable pancreatic cancer, and diabetes are being built.
PharmaCyte Biotech's treatment for pancreatic cancer involves low
doses of the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together
with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its
active or "cancer-killing" form. These capsules are placed as close
to the cancerous tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the
highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the
cancer. This "targeted chemotherapy" has proven remarkably
effective in past clinical trials. PharmaCyte Biotech is also
working towards improving the quality of life for patients with
advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other types of
solid cancerous tumors. In addition, PharmaCyte Biotech is
developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents
of the Cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. In doing so,
PharmaCyte Biotech is examining ways to exploit the benefits of
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 PharmaCyte Biotech the rare
opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly
diseases, such as cancer 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 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 Biotech or its
management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of
PharmaCyte Biotech, 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 Biotech's intellectual property and PharmaCyte
Biotech's continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte Biotech
does not assume any obligation to update any of these
forward-looking statements.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at
www.PharmaCyteBiotech.com. It can also be obtained by contacting
Investor Relations.
CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts:
Jamien Jones
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 103
jjones@bplifescience.com