University of Northern Colorado Presenting PharmaCyte Biotech’s Cannabis Research at the 2017 American Chemical Society Nat...
November 14 2016 - 9:00AM
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 its research
partner, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), has submitted
abstracts for the presentation of two scientific papers at the
253rd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting &
Exposition in San Francisco, California, April 2-6, 2017.
The ACS National Meeting provides chemistry professionals a
forum to meet, share ideas and advance scientific and technical
knowledge. The theme of the upcoming meeting is “Advanced
Materials, Technologies, Systems & Processes.” PharmaCyte’s
Cannabis research at UNC fits the theme perfectly since it revolves
around utilization of PharmaCyte’s proprietary Cell-in-a-Box®
technology. The papers will be presented by Dr. Richard M. Hyslop,
Principal Investigator and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
at UNC and his students.
PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner,
commented “We are very pleased with the ongoing progress at UNC.
The upcoming ACS meeting provides an ideal venue to present two
more scientific papers that have been generated from the work being
done by Dr. Hyslop and his team as well as showcase the versatility
of Cell-in-a-Box® as an advanced therapeutic platform.”
The first paper is titled “Development of a cannabinoid-based
Cell-in-a-Box® therapeutic system targeted toward malignant
tumors.” This aspect of the UNC research investigates the
feasibility of a patented cell-encapsulation technology in which
cells producing enzymes capable of converting an inactive
phytocannabinoid prodrug into an active anti-cancer drug are
encapsulated in a cellulose-based porous polymer, which can be
injected immediately upstream from a tumor. Then, an administered
phytocannabinoid prodrug can be activated by the encapsulated cells
at the site of the tumor. The paper describes how, using both
specific phytocannabinoids and model compounds, a variety of cell
lines have been screened for the appropriate enzymatic activity to
convert an inactive cannabinoid prodrug into an active drug. Five
cell lines have been observed to produce the desired enzyme and are
being further assessed with specific phytocannabinoid prodrugs.
The second paper is titled “In vitro anti-neoplastic activity of
specific phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa.” As part of a more
in-depth study to develop a cannabinoid-based targeted treatment of
malignant tumors, the in vitro effects of select cannabinoids on
several human cancer cell lines have been investigated, including
glioblastoma, pancreatic, breast, melanoma, lung and colon. The
paper describes how single-cell layer cultures were treated with
increasing levels of a purified cannabinoid and details the
resultant changes in cancer cell populations. Initial results
suggest that this cannabinoid possesses potent anti-proliferative
effects against several types of cancer cells. Studies continue to
assess this cannabinoid with several cancer cell lines, and it may
represent a viable candidate for further therapeutic
evaluation.
Dr. Hyslop has been involved in cancer research for four decades
and is leading a team of scientists from UNC to develop a “green”
approach to treating solid tumors, initially brain cancer. “We are
looking forward to sharing some of our results with the scientific
community,” commented Dr. Hyslop. “Our team of biochemists, organic
chemists, molecular biologists, genetic engineers, undergraduate
students, and graduate students continue to work diligently to
achieve our goal of developing targeted cannabinoid-based
chemotherapy utilizing Cell-in-a-Box®.”
For more information on the meeting visit:
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/meetings/spring-2017.html.
About PharmaCyte BiotechPharmaCyte Biotech a
clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapies 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 therapies for
several types of cancer and diabetes are being
developed. PharmaCyte’s therapy for cancer involves
encapsulating genetically engineered human cells that convert an
inactive chemotherapy drug into its active or “cancer-killing”
form. These encapsulated cells are implanted as close to the
patient’s cancerous tumor as possible. Once implanted, a
chemotherapy drug that is normally activated in the liver
(ifosfamide) is given intravenously at one-third the normal dose.
The ifosfamide is carried by the circulatory system to where the
encapsulated cells have been implanted. When the ifosfamide
comes in contact with the encapsulated cells they act as an
artificial liver and activate the chemotherapy drug at the source
of the cancer. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven effective
and safe to use in past clinical trials and results in no side
effects.
In addition to developing a novel therapy for cancer, PharmaCyte
is developing a treatment for Type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent
Type 2 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. Once the encapsulated cells are
implanted in a diabetic patient they will function as a
“bio-artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
Safe HarborThis 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