PharmaCyte Biotech to Attend 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
May 31 2017 - 9:20AM
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:PMCB), a clinical stage
biotechnology company focused on developing targeted therapies for
cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation
technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, today announced that its senior
management team will attend the 53rd annual meeting of the American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to be held June 2-6, 2017, at
McCormick Place in Chicago. The theme of this year’s meeting is
“Making a Difference in Cancer Care with You.”
PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L.
Waggoner, commented, “This year’s annual meeting of ASCO will be
our most important as we work towards enrolling the first patient
in our planned clinical trial in locally advanced pancreas cancer
(LAPC). During this multi-day event, we will be hosting a special
meeting of leading clinical oncologists who have expressed interest
in participating in our clinical trial. This special meeting is
designed to: (i) provide an update on the progress PharmaCyte has
made this past year in getting ready for the trial; (ii) provide a
timeline for filing the IND and for enrolling the first patient;
(iii) make introductions of and allow for comments by key members
of PharmaCyte’s Clinical Management Team (Dr. Manuel Hidalgo, Dr.
Matthias Löhr, Translational Drug Development (TD2) and Imaging
Endpoints, the two major CROs who will be conducting the trial for
us); and (iv) gain a commitment from the oncologists and their
respective cancer centers to participate in our exciting study.
“Joining me from PharmaCyte will be Dr. Manuel
Hidalgo, the Principal Investigator for the trial and a member of
our Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Matthias Löhr, the
Chairman of our Medical and Scientific Advisory Board and the
Principal Investigator for the two earlier clinical trials using
our pancreas cancer therapy, Dr. Gerald W. Crabtree, our Chief
Operating Officer, and Dr. Leonard Makowka, our Senior Strategic
Advisor to the Company’s Board of Directors.”
ASCO is one of the largest organizations in the
world devoted to the advancement of treatments for all types of
cancer. Its annual meeting is one of the largest educational and
scientific meetings in the world. It brings together more than
30,000 oncology professionals from around the world to
discuss state-of-the-art treatment modalities, new therapies
and ongoing controversies in the field. Individuals from around the
globe have registered for this year’s meeting with approximately
50% of these from outside the United States. Over 6,000 abstracts
of presentations have been submitted for consideration by ASCO.
Reports of studies on all types of cancer will be presented during
the meeting.
In addition to scientists and clinicians,
representatives from large and small pharmaceutical and biotech
companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs), all with an
interest in cancer, will be in attendance. ASCO’s annual meeting
provides representatives from all areas of the cancer spectrum the
opportunity to interact and offers an unparalleled opportunity for
the free exchange of information among meeting attendees.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is 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 flows
through the encapsulated cells, they act as a “bio-artificial
liver” and activate the chemotherapy drug at the site of the
cancer. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven effective and safe
to use in past clinical trials and results in no treatment related
side effects.
In addition to developing a novel therapy for
cancer, PharmaCyte is developing a therapy 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 Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking
statements, which are generally statements that are not historical
facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words
"expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates,"
"plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements are based on management's current plans, estimates,
assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are
made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement because of new information or future events, except as
otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to
predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or
outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the
forward-looking statements due to the impact of numerous risk
factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be
found at www.PharmaCyte.com. Information may also be obtained by
contacting PharmaCyte’s Investor Relations Department.
Contact:
Investor Relations:
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
Telephone: 917.595.2856
Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com