LAGUNA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted cellular therapies for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, announced today that it has selected Medpace, Inc. as the Contract Research Organization (CRO) to conduct PharmaCyte’s clinical trial in locally advanced, non-metastatic, inoperable pancreatic cancer (LAPC).
PharmaCyte Biotech’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented on PharmaCyte’s selection saying, “Our Clinical Trial Leadership Team (CTLT) worked diligently to identify and select the right CRO to conduct our clinical trial in LAPC. Medpace is an established and highly regarded full-service CRO with expertise in numerous therapeutic areas focused on supporting the biotech sector. It is a scientifically-driven organization with a dedicated in-house study team supported by outstanding medical experts to lead the way. Medpace has an extensive portfolio of successfully completed clinical trials, including those involving pancreatic cancer.
“Although we considered several outstanding CRO candidates, we felt that Medpace was the ideal choice to be our CRO as the team at Medpace provides experience and a range of services to conduct virtually every aspect of our Phase 2b clinical trial in LAPC. In 2018, Medpace was ranked among the top 10 CROs in the world. During the selection process, it was easy to see why Medpace is so highly ranked.”
Selection of the CRO for PharmaCyte’s clinical trial in LAPC was performed by PharmaCyte’s CTLT led by Dr. Linda Sher, PharmaCyte’s Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Manuel Hidalgo who will serve as Principal Investigator for the trial. The selection process was both laborious and time-consuming. Initially, 10 CRO candidates were identified. After an initial screening, this number was reduced to 8. Thereafter, careful examination and scrutiny of the qualifications and references of the 8 candidates led to the selection of the top 4 candidates.
Each of the 4 remaining candidates was then sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct the trial. After receiving the RFP proposals, interviews of the 4 remaining CROs were conducted by telephone. Finally, an in-depth analysis by PharmaCyte’s CTLT was conducted, which reduced the number of CRO candidates to the top 2. The top 2 CRO candidates were interviewed in person by members from the CTLT. Both candidates were outstanding and impressive.
The decision to select Medpace was unanimous among the members of the CTLT evaluation team. Although Medpace is a multidisciplinary full-service CRO, its largest therapeutic area of focus is in oncology, and it is very experienced in conducting pancreatic cancer clinical trials.
“Medpace is pleased to have been chosen by PharmaCyte Biotech to conduct its Phase 2b study in LAPC,” said Lyon Gleich, MD, FACS, Vice President, Medical Department, Oncology at Medpace. “Our team has the appropriate therapeutic experience in conducting clinical trials in pancreatic cancer. We look forward to partnering with PharmaCyte Biotech and utilizing our knowledge and experience in oncology clinical trials to conduct this important study.”
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. For pancreatic cancer, these encapsulated cells are implanted in the blood supply to the patient’s tumor as close as possible to the site of the tumor. 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 pores in the capsules, the live cells inside 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 cell lines being studied and developed are human liver cells, stem cells and beta islet cells. The encapsulation will be done using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology. Once the encapsulated cells are implanted in a diabetic patient, they are designed to function as a “bio-artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
About Medpace
Medpace is a scientifically driven, global, full-service clinical contract research organization (CRO) providing Phase I-IV clinical development services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The mission of Medpace is to accelerate the global development of safe and effective medical therapeutics through its high-science and disciplined operating approach that leverages local regulatory and deep therapeutic expertise across all major areas including oncology, cardiology, metabolic disease, endocrinology, central nervous system and anti-viral and anti-infective. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Medpace employs approximately 2,800 people across 36 countries. For more information visit the Medpace website at: www.medpace.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that express the current beliefs and expectations of the management of PharmaCyte Biotech, including statements regarding the timing and commencement of our first Phase 2b clinical trial. Any statements contained herein that do not describe historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect our actual results are included in the periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyte.com. Information may also be obtained by contacting PharmaCyte’s Investor Relations Department.
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
Dr. Gerald W. Crabtree
Investor Relations Department
917-595-2856
[email protected]
