PharmaCyte Biotech Hosts 2nd Annual Meeting of International Diabetes Consortium Developing Novel Treatment for Diabetes
October 29 2015 - 9:20AM
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 PharmaCyte held
the second annual meeting of its “International Diabetes
Consortium” in Vienna, Austria, to review data that has been
generated by the Consortium and update its strategic plan for the
development of PharmaCyte’s treatment for insulin dependent
diabetes.
The two key components of PharmaCyte’s treatment
for diabetes are the Melligen cells developed by Prof. Ann Simpson
and the Cell-in-a-Box® technology. Melligen cells have been
genetically engineered to produce, store and secrete insulin at
levels in proportion to the levels of blood sugar in the human
body. PharmaCyte’s plan is to encapsulate those live cells and then
implant the capsules into a patient with diabetes to act as an
“artificial” pancreas, thereby eliminating the need for insulin
injections.
The Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte,
Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented, “The data presented at the meeting
of the International Diabetes Consortium clearly show that
PharmaCyte is making excellent progress in developing what we
believe will become a new game-changing therapy for
insulin-dependent diabetes - a debilitating and even
life-threatening disease with an ever increasing incidence that
affects so many around the world. The marriage of Cell-in-a-Box®
with the unique Melligen cells to create a true “bio-artificial
pancreas” that is both long-lived and effective will be key to
treating this devastating disease.”
In addition to the members of the Consortium, two additional
internationally renowned leaders participated in the meeting,
diabetes expert, Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Hammes, Professor of Internal
Medicine and Endocrinology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim,
University of Heidelberg, Germany, who is the Section Head of
Endocrinology, and Dr. Ronald L. Korn, Founder, Chairman and Chief
Medical Officer, Imaging Endpoints, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their
input at this year’s meeting and the experience that they brought
to the discussions were invaluable. Initial data, including results
showing the safety of the Melligen cells, as well as information on
the growth parameters of encapsulated cells and preliminary studies
in animal models, were presented and discussed.
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 and diabetes are being
developed.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment for cancer
involves encapsulating genetically modified live cells capable of
converting an inactive chemotherapy drug (ifosfamide) into its
active or “cancer-killing” form. These encapsulated live cells are
placed as close to a cancerous tumor as possible. Once implanted in
a patient, ifosfamide is then given intravenously at one-third the
normal dose. The ifosfamide is carried by the circulatory system to
where the encapsulated cells have been placed. When ifosfamide,
which is normally activated in the liver, comes in contact with the
encapsulated live cells, activation of the drug takes place at the
source of the cancer without any side effects from the
chemotherapy. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven remarkably
effective and safe to use in past clinical trials.
In addition to developing a novel treatment for
cancer, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing a treatment for Type 1
diabetes and Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes. PharmaCyte Biotech
plans to encapsulate a human cell line that has been genetically
engineered to produce, store and secrete insulin at levels in
proportion to the levels of blood sugar in the human body. The
encapsulation will be done using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
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