NeoStem Announces Dr. Merrick Ross of MD Anderson Cancer Center as Lead Principal Investigator for Pivotal Phase 3 Trial for Metastatic Melanoma
Dr. Merrick Ross to Lead NeoStem's Phase 3 Trial of Immuno-Oncology Product Candidate NBS20
New York, May 26, 2015 -- NeoStem, Inc. (Nasdaq:NBS) ("NeoStem" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, cell-based individualized medicine therapies, today announced the appointment of Dr. Merrick Ross, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Melanoma Section, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson), as the lead principal investigator for NeoStem's Intus study. The Intus study is a Phase 3 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of the Company's patient-specific targeted cancer immunotherapy candidate NBS20 (USAN = eltrapuldencel-T) in patients with stage III recurrent or stage IV metastatic melanoma.
"I have dedicated my career to helping patients with cancer to live the longest, highest-quality lives they can in each individual case," said Dr. Ross. "I have seen melanoma treatments evolve over the past 30 years and am looking forward to serving as study chairman for this pivotal Phase 3 trial."
Dr. Ross is a surgical oncologist with specific expertise in melanoma who has worked and taught at MD Anderson since 1989. Dr. Ross has published extensively in medical literature, frequently lectures both domestically and abroad and has been in leadership roles for several completed melanoma clinical trials at the institutional, national, and international level. He has also been the recipient of various honors, including the Charles M. McBride Distinguished Professorship in Surgical Oncology. Dr. Ross received his medical degree from the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago, completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Illinois Affiliated Hospitals in Chicago, and was Chief Resident at the University of Illinois Department of Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Ross completed a research fellowship at Scripps Clinic and Research Institute in La Jolla, California, and a surgical oncology fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
"We are very fortunate to have Dr. Ross serve as the lead principal investigator for the Intus study," said Dr. Douglas Losordo, Chief Medical Officer of NeoStem. "His expertise as a surgical oncologist and experience in melanoma particularly make him an invaluable resource to the trial as we work to advance NBS20. We are delighted to welcome the leadership of this esteemed physician-scientist."
For more information on the Intus Study please visit www.theintusstudy.com or www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01875653.
About NeoStem
NeoStem, Inc. is among the first of a new breed of immunotherapy companies with proven expertise and unique experience in cell process optimization, development, and manufacturing. NeoStem is a cell therapy leader with late-stage clinical programs based on a proprietary platform technology for immuno-oncology, as well as additional platform technologies for ischemic repair and immunomodulation, and capabilities that support other cell therapy developers. This integrated approach supports the industry in bringing significant life-improving medical treatments to market. www.neostem.com.
