SILVER SPRING, Md., May 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (NVLX), a clinical-stage international biotechnology company providing cell and gene therapy solutions for the treatment of diseases, announced today that it has signed a Research Agreement with the University of Northern Colorado to perform initial studies in the development of cancer treatments that combine the proprietary live-cell encapsulation technology known as Cell-in-a-Box(R) with constituents of Cannabis known as cannabinoids. Richard M. Hyslop, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Northern Colorado and member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Medical Marijuana Sciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of PharmaCyte Biotech, will lead the efforts.
“Dr. Hyslop and his team at the University of Northern Colorado will seek to establish a solid foundation for future preclinical studies and clinical trials that will be needed as Medical Marijuana Sciences develops treatments for serious and deadly diseases such as brain and pancreatic cancers,” said Kenneth L. Waggoner, CEO and president of PharmaCyte Biotech. “The goal is to develop a Cell-in-a-Box(R) /cannabinoid combination that has anticancer effects coupled with low toxicity similar in concept to PharmaCyte Biotech’s pancreatic cancer treatment currently being prepared for Phase 2b clinical trials that uses the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology with low doses of the chemotherapeutic drug ifosfamide.”
The initial studies to be performed by Dr. Hyslop will be to develop methods for the identification, separation and quantification of constituents (prodrugs) of Cannabis that may be used in combination with PharmaCyte Biotech’s Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology. In addition, studies will be undertaken to identify the appropriate cell type that can convert the selected cannabinoid prodrugs from their naturally-occurring forms into substances that are capable of killing cancer cells. Once identified, the selected cells will be encapsulated using PharmaCyte Biotech’s Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology. The encapsulated cells and cannabinoid prodrugs identified by these studies will then be combined and used for future studies to evaluate their anticancer effectiveness.
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 the widely used anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its active or “cancer-killing” form. PharmaCyte Biotech is also working towards clinical trials associated with the symptoms of advanced pancreatic cancer and other abdominal cancers. PharmaCyte Biotech’s subsidiary, Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc., is dedicated to the development of cancer treatments based upon chemical constituents of marijuana known as cannabinoids. To do so, it will examine ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids against cancers while minimizing or eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides Medical Marijuana Sciences a unique opportunity to develop “green” approaches to fighting deadly cancers, such as those of the pancreas, brain, breast and prostate, 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 in clinical trials or flaws or defects regarding its products, 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.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech and Medical Marijuana Sciences can be found at www.nuvilex.com and www.medicalmarijuanasciences.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Contact:
Investor Relations Contacts:
Marlin Molinaro
Marmel Communications, LLC
Phone: 702.434.8692
[email protected]
Media Contact:
Jules Abraham
JQA Partners, LLC
Phone: 917.885.7378
[email protected]
