PharmaCyte Biotech Updates Shareholders on ASCO Presentation to Oncologists
June 09 2017 - 9:20AM
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:PMCB), a clinical stage
biotechnology company focused on developing cellular therapies for
cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation
technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, today provided an update from the
company’s meeting with leading clinical oncologists who are
interested in participating in PharmaCyte’s planned pivotal
clinical trial in locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC). The
meeting was by invitation only during this year’s 53rd annual
meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in
Chicago.
During the meeting, PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive
Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, updated the attendees on the
company’s efforts to advance its pancreas cancer therapy into a
pivotal clinical trial. Dr. Matthias Löhr, the Chairman of
PharmaCyte’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board and the
Principal Investigator for the two previous clinical trials using
PharmaCyte’s pancreas cancer therapy, along with Dr. Ronald L.
Korn, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Imaging Endpoints, and
Susan Tessmann, the Director of Clinical Operations at
Translational Drug Development (TD2), made presentations on the
progress that has been made and the path forward to the clinic.
This was the first update since PharmaCyte’s pancreas cancer
therapy was first introduced to a group of leading oncologists at
last year’s annual meeting of ASCO. TD2 and Imaging Endpoints are
the two major CROs who will be conducting the trial for
PharmaCyte.
Commenting on the meeting, Mr. Waggoner said,
“We were pleased to have had this unique opportunity to update the
various stakeholders on the progress we have made in several
aspects of our planned clinical trial. We are extremely grateful to
the oncologists who attended the meeting, as well as the
representatives from TD2 and Imaging Endpoints who participated in
the meeting. We are particularly grateful to Dr. Matthias Löhr who
travelled from Sweden to lead the discussion on the trial design
and respond to questions posed by the oncologists.”
PharmaCyte continues to attract oncologists that
are representatives of clinical trial sites and institutions that
want to take part in the clinical trial. This year’s meeting was an
opportunity to present PharmaCyte’s therapy for LAPC to the
oncologists and to answer questions about the upcoming trial, the
trial design, the clinical trial protocol and participation in the
trial. These questions came from oncologists at major sites, known
as “Hub” sites, and from related “Satellite” sites throughout the
United States.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage
biotechnology company developing cellular 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.
PharmaCyte’s therapy for Type 1 diabetes and
insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes involves encapsulating 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