PharmaCyte Biotech Receives ‘Notice of Allowance’ for Patent Protection of the Melligen Cells to Treat Diabetes
May 12 2016 - 9:34AM
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®, today announced that a Notice of
Allowance was received from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) for patent protection of the human cell line that has been
genetically engineered to produce, store and release insulin in
response to the levels of blood sugar in the human body (Melligen
cells). PharmaCyte plans to encapsulate Melligen cells using the
Cell-in-a-Box® technology.
A Notice of Allowance signifies that the applicant is entitled
to receive patent protection of 20 years under the law. The
Melligen cells were developed by Prof. Ann Simpson and her
colleagues at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). PharmaCyte
has a license agreement with UTS that provides PharmaCyte with the
exclusive worldwide right to use Melligen cells for the treatment
of diabetes.
Patent protection for the European counterpart to the U.S.
application was granted on July 15, 2015. The patent has been
validated in France, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany,
Spain, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands with similar claim scope
of the allowed claims by the USPTO.
About PharmaCyte BiotechPharmaCyte Biotech is a
clinical stage biotechnology company 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 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 that convert
an inactive chemotherapy drug 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, a
chemotherapy drug which needs to be activated in the body
(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 the ifosfamide, which
is normally activated in the liver, comes in contact with the
encapsulated live cells, activation of the chemotherapy 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 release insulin in response 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 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