SILVER SPRING, Md., July 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent protection of the Melligen cells that are a part of PharmaCyte’s therapy for Type 1 and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes.
The Melligen cells are human cells that have been genetically engineered to produce, store and release insulin in response to the levels of blood sugar in the body. PharmaCyte has the exclusive worldwide license from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to use these cells to develop a therapy for Type 1 and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. PharmaCyte plans to encapsulate Melligen cells using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology to function as an “artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, stated, “We are pleased that the USPTO has granted patent protection of the Melligen cells. It protects this unique cell line and enables us to move forward with our efforts to develop an artificial pancreas for those who suffer from diabetes. If we are successful in our efforts, it will bring to fruition the many years of research that have been conducted by Professor Ann Simpson and her colleagues at UTS in developing these remarkable cells.
Mr. Waggoner continued, “For the millions of people around the globe who suffer from diabetes – a disease of epidemic proportions – our therapy could relieve them of the onerous daily requirements of insulin administration and dietary restrictions and offer a life free from the life threatening complications associated with this disease.”
Professor Simpson commented, “We are extremely pleased that we now have patent protection of the Melligen cells in the U.S. This takes us a step closer to eliminating the need for diabetics to inject insulin daily and, more importantly, protecting them from the debilitating complications of the disease such as blindness, kidney failure and cardiovascular problems. We look forward to working with PharmaCyte and its International Diabetes Consortium to utilize the Cell-in-a-Box® technology to encapsulate the Melligen cells aimed at curing diabetes.”
PharmaCyte is responsible for patent protection of the Melligen cells under its License Agreement with UTS. Granting of the patent by the USPTO protects the Melligen cells for 20 years in the U.S. by excluding others from using the new Melligen cell technology.
Patent protection in the European Union has already been granted. The patent has been validated in France, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands with similar claim scope of the allowed claims by the USPTO.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech 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 comes in contact with the encapsulated cells they act as an artificial liver and activate the chemotherapy drug at the source of the cancer. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven effective and safe to use in past clinical trials and results in no side effects.
In addition to developing a novel therapy for cancer, PharmaCyte is developing a treatment 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 an “artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
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 or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of PharmaCyte, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. They include PharmaCyte’s ability to continue as a going concern, delays or unsuccessful results in preclinical and clinical trials, flaws or defects regarding its product candidates, changes in relevant legislation or regulatory requirements, uncertainty of protection of PharmaCyte’s intellectual property and PharmaCyte’s continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyte.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Investor Relations: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. Investor Relations Department Telephone: 917.595.2856 Email: [email protected]
Source: PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
