PharmaCyte Biotech Advances Cannabinoid Research With Schedule 1 License
June 15 2015 - 09:25AM
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 research
partner, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), successfully
obtained a Schedule 1 license from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA) enabling the company to continue development of
tumor-targeted treatments for serious and deadly cancers by
utilizing cannabinoid prodrugs in combination with Cell-in-a-Box®
live cell encapsulation.
Although marijuana (Cannabis) is legal in the state of Colorado,
use of Cannabis for research purposes at an institution that has
federal grants such as UNC is not permitted by the DEA without a
Schedule 1 license. The source for the plant material is regulated
by DEA, and this material must be obtained through the National
Institute for Drug Abuse. With the DEA license, it is now possible
for researchers at UNC to obtain both the plant material and
specific cannabinoid reference standards needed to conduct the
research.
“As we were applying for the Schedule 1 license, ‘model’
compounds, or cannabinoid look-alikes, were utilized to develop
research protocols and screen various biological systems,” noted
PharmaCyte Biotech’s Principal Investigator and UNC Professor
Richard M. Hyslop, Ph.D. “With the license in-hand, we are
beginning experiments using the cannabinoids to reexamine the
biological systems for activity as well as explore additional
systems suitable for use in combination with the Cell-in-a-Box®
platform.”
“We are exceedingly pleased with the work that has been
accomplished to date at UNC and congratulate Dr. Hyslop and his
colleagues at UNC on successfully obtaining the Schedule 1
license,” said Kenneth L. Waggoner, PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief
Executive Officer. “Now that we have the ability to isolate
potentially useful substances from the Cannabis plant itself, we
can continue development of Cannabis-derived prodrugs and
engineered human cell lines for use with the versatile
Cell-in-a-Box® platform. These types of natural or ‘green’
approaches to fighting disease offer a potentially huge upside for
patients who suffer from all kinds of maladies, not the least of
which is brain cancer.”
Obtaining a DEA Schedule 1 license is a rigorous process. In
addition to outlining a legitimate and worthwhile line of
scientific investigation in a formal application, the process at
UNC included inspection of the laboratory facilities, review of
UNC’s plans for record-keeping and confirmation of facility
security. Records accounting for all types and quantities of
Cannabis ordered, when and how used and means of disposal must be
maintained and available for DEA officials during site visits. The
license is renewable annually.
About PharmaCyte BiotechPharmaCyte 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 chemotherapy 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.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor
Relations.
Investor Relations:
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
Telephone: 917.595.2856
Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com