SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (NVLX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company providing cell therapy solutions for the treatment of diseases, announced today that noted European gastroenterologist and oncologist Dr. Matthias Lohr has agreed to serve as Chairman of PharmaCyte Biotech’s newly formed Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Lohr has been a full professor of gastroenterology and hepatology at the famed Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, since 2007. He has served as Professor of Molecular Gastroenterology at the University of Heidelberg and was the Head of the Molecular Gastroenterology Unit at the German Cancer Research Center. Dr. Lohr has also worked as a translational scientist and Principal Investigator in clinical studies in gastrointestinal oncology for many years and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Clinic & Research Foundation in La Jolla, California. After receiving his M.D. degree, Dr. Lohr served a residency in pathology and a residency in internal medicine and gastroenterology in Erlangen and Rostock in Germany, where he also served as an Assistant Professor.
“It is my firm belief the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology will prove to be of great value for the development of treatments for pancreatic and other cancers, and its possible role in a treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes is particularly intriguing. It is a pleasure to chair PharmaCyte Biotech’s Scientific Advisory Board. I look forward to working with the PharmaCyte Biotech team to help bring this important technology to fruition,” commented Dr. Lohr.
Dr. Lohr served as Principal Investigator for the Phase 1/2 and Phase 2 clinical trials of PharmaCyte Biotech’s pancreatic cancer treatment that were completed in the early 2000s. Not only is he familiar with the Cell-in-a-Box(R) live cell encapsulation technology that forms the core of PharmaCyte Biotech’s pancreatic cancer treatment, but he has actually used PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment (the combination of Cell-in-a-Box(R) capsules with low doses of the anticancer drug ifosfamide) in clinical trials in patients with advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer. Dr. Lohr previously agreed to serve as a consultant to PharmaCyte Biotech in connection with its development of treatments for pancreatic cancer and diabetes based on the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology. He has expertise in the treatment of both diseases in addition to thoroughly understanding the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology and its use in a clinical setting.
PharmaCyte Biotech’s CEO and President, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented, “We are extremely pleased that Dr. Lohr, one of Europe’s leading gastroenterologists and oncologists, has agreed to serve as Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Lohr’s knowledge of the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology and his experience in using PharmaCyte Biotech’s pancreatic cancer treatment in the clinic make him the ideal choice for this appointment. This belief is bolstered by the fact that Dr. Lohr is an expert in pancreatic cancer and has a keen interest and experience in the treatment of diabetes — both key areas of development for PharmaCyte Biotech.”
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech (NVLX) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on 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(R). This unique and patented technology will be used as a platform upon which treatments for several types of cancer, including advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer, and diabetes are being built. PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment for pancreatic cancer involves low doses of the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its active or “cancer-killing” form. In concert with these efforts, PharmaCyte Biotech is working towards improving the quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other cancers. In addition, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing cancer treatments based upon chemical constituents of marijuana known as cannabinoids. To do so, PharmaCyte Biotech is examining ways to exploit the benefits of the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides PharmaCyte Biotech a unique opportunity to develop “green” approaches to fighting deadly cancers, such as those of the pancreas, brain and breast that affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every year.
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 Biotech or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of PharmaCyte Biotech, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include PharmaCyte Biotech’s ability to continue as a going concern, delays or unsuccessful results in clinical trials or flaws or defects regarding its product candidates, changes in relevant legislation or regulatory requirements, uncertainty of protection of PharmaCyte Biotech’s intellectual property and PharmaCyte Biotech’s continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte Biotech does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Clare Matschullat
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 917.595.2856 Ext. 106
[email protected]
