MicroIslet Transplantation Studies in Diabetic Primates Successful at Six-Month Milestone
August 07 2006 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MicroIslet, Inc.
(AMEX:MII), a biotechnology company engaged in the research,
development and commercialization of patented technologies in
transplantation therapy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes,
today announced that primate subjects in ongoing studies have
continued to exhibit improved glycemic control over a six-month
period by means of MicroIslet's proprietary microencapsulated
porcine islet transplantation treatment approach. In reporting this
crucial milestone, an industry first in the effort to establish a
more effective treatment for diabetes, MicroIslet's primate
subjects showed substantial reduction in the need for insulin to
control blood glucose levels. Additionally, this breakthrough was
achieved without the need for chronic immunosuppressive therapy to
prevent rejection of the transplanted insulin-producing islets.
Marks breakthrough in improved treatment for diabetes As the
American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recently reported,
"Scientists are studying ways to microencapsulate islet cells to
prevent rejection and reverse the progression of diabetes. If
successful, this method may lead to islet cell transplantation
without the need for immunosuppressive medicines." MicroIslet
management hailed attainment of the six-month milestone in its
primate studies as a significant advance toward that goal. "We
believe that with this positive data, we are setting the
cornerstone for a new and vastly improved treatment for diabetes,
which has reached an epidemic stage, afflicting an estimated 21
million Americans, including over 6 million who are undiagnosed,"
commented James R. Gavin III, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief
Executive Officer of MicroIslet, former President of the ADA and an
internationally recognized diabetes expert. "There are five key
elements supporting our belief," Dr. Gavin continued. "First, we
have achieved long-term survival of transplanted insulin-producing
islets in our primate subjects. Second, these islets have
substantially reduced the need for injected insulin to control
blood glucose levels and prevent the progressive damage to the
heart, kidneys and other vital organs that make diabetes so
devastating. The primate subjects have experienced improved
glycemic control for six months in our ongoing studies. Third, our
method for islet microencapsulation has eliminated the need for
chronic immunosuppression to prevent rejection of the transplanted
tissues. Fourth, the transplantation site in the peritoneum allows
a minimally invasive procedure, substantially decreasing the risks
inherent in major surgery. Finally, unique among the companies
investigating islet transplantation, we have secured access to a
sufficient supply of islet tissues for human clinical trials and
eventual commercialization of our diabetes treatment approach,
through our exclusive, long-term islet supply agreement with the
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research." The Company
plans to submit abstracts documenting its findings to major
transplantation symposia this fall and at the American Society of
Cell Biology Conference Annual Meeting in San Diego, December 9-13.
About MicroIslet MicroIslet is a biotechnology company engaged in
the research, development, and commercialization of patented
technologies in the field of transplantation therapy for people
with insulin-dependent diabetes. MicroIslet's patented islet
transplantation technology, exclusively licensed from Duke
University, includes methods for isolating, culturing,
cryopreservation, and immuno-protection (microencapsulation) of
islet cells. MicroIslet is working to develop and commercialize a
first product, called MicroIslet-P(TM), a microencapsulated porcine
islet cell suspension that will be used for transplantation in
patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. Additional information
about MicroIslet can be found at http://www.microislet.com/. Except
for the historical information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, including the implication and
interpretation of preliminary data, the expectation of development
of new therapeutic products and the impact of MicroIslet's products
on diabetes patients, are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to
differ materially, including MicroIslet's ability to continue as a
going concern, the risks and uncertainties inherent in medical
treatment discovery, development and commercialization, the risks
and uncertainties associated with MicroIslet's early stage
xenotransplantation technologies, the risks and uncertainties of
governmental approvals and regulation, dependence on the Mayo
Foundation for Medical Education and Research as a sole source
supplier of animal parts for pre-clinical and clinical studies,
MicroIslet's need to raise substantial additional capital to
proceed through human clinical trials and bring any product to
market, the risks that MicroIslet's competitors will develop or
market technologies or products that are more effective or
commercially attractive than MicroIslet's products, and other risks
detailed from time to time in MicroIslet's most recent filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date hereof. MicroIslet disclaims
any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements. For more information, please visit our Web site at
http://www.microislet.com/. For further information, contact: Kevin
A. Hainley, MicroIslet Inc. 858-657-0287, Sean Collins, Partner CCG
Investor Relations & Strategic Communications 310-231-8600 ext.
202 ISIN US59507Q1067 DATASOURCE: MicroIslet, Inc. CONTACT: Kevin
A. Hainley of MicroIslet, Inc., +1-858-657-0287, ; or Sean Collins,
Partner, CCG Investor Relations & Strategic Communications,
+1-310-231-8600, ext. 202, for MicroIslet, Inc. Web site:
http://www.microislet.com/
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