PharmaCyte Biotech Appoints International Diabetes Expert to Its Scientific Advisory Board
November 19 2015 - 9:25AM
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 Prof. Hans-Peter
Hammes, M.D., has accepted an appointment to PharmaCyte’s
Scientific Advisory Board. Prof. Hammes is recognized
internationally as a preeminent figure in the treatment of diabetes
and its complications. In addition to his appointment to the Board,
Prof. Hammes has agreed to become a member of PharmaCyte’s
international Diabetes Consortium and to serve as a consultant to
PharmaCyte.
The Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte, Kenneth L. Waggoner,
commented, “We are honored that Prof. Hammes has agreed to join our
Scientific Advisory Board and to serve as a consultant to the
company. Prof. Hammes is one of Europe’s leading authorities in all
aspects of diabetes and is well versed on the types of studies that
will be needed to develop an effective treatment for the disease.
It is indeed a privilege to have him join our team. Prof. Hammes’
enthusiasm for the work being done by the international Diabetes
Consortium was shown by his active participation at this year’s
annual meeting of the Consortium recently held in Vienna, Austria.
Every member of the Consortium felt that Prof. Hammes’
contributions were invaluable. Prof. Hammes has already
demonstrated he is going to be a major resource to Pharmacyte, as
we develop our treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes.”
Prof. Hans-Peter Hammes, M.D., is a Professor of Internal
Medicine and Endocrinology at the University Medical Center
Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Prof. Hammes received
his medical degree from Westfälische Wilhelm-University in Münster,
Germany. Since graduating in 1980, Prof. Hammes has held several
positions in the field of diabetes, with emphasis on the
biochemistry of diabetic complications, diabetic retinopathy,
angiogenesis and predictors of vascular complication from diabetes.
Prof. Hammes is recognized worldwide for his work on the
retinopathy (damage to the eyes) that can result from diabetes.
Prof. Hammes was trained in diabetes by the one of the world’s
most recognized authorities on the treatment of diabetes, Prof.
Konrad Federlin, at the University of Giessen, Germany. In 1996,
Prof. Hammes was named “Diabetologist” by the German Diabetes
Association. Prof. Hammes is a member of several professional
organizations, including the German Society of Internal Medicine,
the German Society of Endocrinology and the European Association
for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Prof. Hammes was this year’s
recipient of the prestigious Camillo Golgi Prize awarded by EASD at
its annual meeting. He has co-authored over 200 scientific articles
and books involving diabetes.
“I am very much looking forward to contribute to this exciting
field on which so many patients with type 1 diabetes put a lot of
hope. Since the early days of clinical training by Konrad Federlin,
islet replacement therapy was on the agenda, and the prevention of
diabetic microvascular complications by islet transplantation was
among my earliest experimental studies.”
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 and diabetes are being developed.
PharmaCyte’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 is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes
and Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes. PharmaCyte 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 or its management, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are
beyond the control of PharmaCyte, 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’s intellectual property and
PharmaCyte’s continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte does
not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking
statements.
More information about PharmaCyte 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