LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmunoCellular
Therapeutics, Ltd. ("ImmunoCellular") (NYSE MKT: IMUC) today
announced it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with
Eduardo Davila, PhD, Associate
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the
University of Maryland,
Baltimore. The agreement includes three projects, which
together have the potential to improve the efficacy of dendritic
cell, T-cell, and combination immunotherapies for cancer and lead
to enhancements to both of ImmunoCellular's dendritic cell and
Stem-to-T-cell platforms.
- The first of three projects evaluates certain immune modulators
that could enhance T-cell killing of tumor cells. These small
molecule modulators have been shown preclinically to be capable of
increasing tumor antigen expression while simultaneously decreasing
expression of ligands, such as PD-L1 and PDL2, which decrease
T-cell activity. This technology applies directly to both
ImmunoCellular platforms.
- The second project explores the combination of engineered
killer T-cells and dendritic cell immunotherapies on tumor killing.
These T-cells embody a novel engineering technology that
potentially amplifies their cytotoxic, proliferative, and
cytokine-producing properties toward tumor antigens. Combining
these engineered T-cells with ImmunoCellular's dendritic cell
immunotherapies could lead to enhanced tumor cell killing.
- The third project tests novel peptide configurations for use
with dendritic cell immunotherapies to potentially induce enhanced
T-cell responses.
Dr. Davila is the Program Leader for the Tumor Immunology and
Immunotherapy Program within the University of
Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center
Program. As such, he collaborates with both basic and clinical
research investigators to understand the immune regulation of
malignant disease and translate this knowledge into the development
of novel diagnostic, preventative and treatment regimens.
"ImmunoCellular's research and early development strategy is to
complement and enhance our dendritic cell and Stem-to-T-cell
technology platforms and create potent cell-based cancer
immunotherapeutic clinical candidates and combinations," said
Steven Swanson, PhD, ImmunoCellular
Senior Vice President, Research. "The research projects we are
undertaking with Dr. Davila align well with this strategy and have
the potential to lead to platform technology enhancements and new
clinical programs."
"With this agreement and with other related research underway,
we are systematically delivering on our goal to build a leading
cancer immunotherapy company. We are pleased with the
enhanced position we are establishing in the dendritic cell and
T-cell cancer immunotherapy space," said Andrew Gengos, ImmunoCellular Chief Executive
Officer.
About ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. is a Los Angeles-based clinical-stage company that
is developing immune-based therapies for the treatment of brain and
other cancers. The phase 3 registrational trial of lead product
candidate, ICT-107, a dendritic cell-based immunotherapy targeting
multiple tumor-associated antigens on glioblastoma stem cells, is
open for patient screening. ImmunoCellular's pipeline also
includes: ICT-121, a dendritic cell immunotherapy targeting the
CD133 antigen on stem cells in recurrent glioblastoma; ICT-140, a
dendritic cell immunotherapy targeting antigens on ovarian cancer
stem cells; and the Stem-to-T-cell research program which engineers
the patient's hematopoietic stem cells to generate antigen-specific
cancer-killing T cells. For more information please visit
www.imuc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements for ImmunoCellular Therapeutics
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements,
including statements regarding the development and
commercialization of ICT-107, initiation of a phase 3 study of
ICT-107, the advancement of the ICT-121 phase 1 trial, the
development of the Company's preclinical Stem-to-T-cell and related
research and collaborative program efforts and its ability to
achieve other clinical, operational and financial goals. These
statements are based on ImmunoCellular's current expectations and
involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those
described under the heading "Risk Factors" in ImmunoCellular's most
recently filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q and annual report on
Form 10-K. Except as required by law, ImmunoCellular undertakes no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Contact:
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Investor Relations
Jane Green
415.348.0010 direct 415.652.4819
mobile
jane@jmgcomm.com
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SOURCE ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.