PharmaCyte Biotech Inc (PMCB)

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Austrianova, published a scientific review in the journal Diabetes Research and Treatment: Open Access. The article addressed the use of cell encapsulation in developing a treatment for type 1 (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset) diabetes and discussed advantages of using the Cell-in-Box(R) live cell sulfate-based encapsulation technology over other forms of cell encapsulation.

“On behalf of PharmaCyte Biotech, I wish to offer our sincerest congratulations to the Austrianova team, as well as to Dr. Brandtner, on the publication of this article. This concise review brings the Cell-in-a-Box(R) encapsulation technology to the forefront of our pursuit to develop a type of “artificial pancreas” for the treatment of diabetes,” commented Kenneth L. Waggoner, PharmaCyte Biotech’s CEO and President.

The article, entitled “Encapsulation of Insulin Producing Cells for Diabetes Treatment Using Alginate and Cellulose Sulphate as Bioencapsulation Polymers,” was co-authored by Dr. Brian Salmons, Prof. Dr. Walter H. Gunzburg and Dr. John Dangerfield of Austrianova in Singapore and Dr. Eva Brandtner of the Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation in Austria. It can be viewed in its entirety by clicking http://austrianova.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DRTOA-1-102-final.compressed.pdf.

PharmaCyte Biotech owns the exclusive worldwide rights to use of the Cell-in-Box(R) encapsulation technology for the development of a treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes. As emphasized in the article, while numerous studies deploy a cell encapsulation technology to develop a treatment for type 1 diabetes, the majority of these efforts are based on the use of alginate (derived from seaweed) as the encapsulating material. These studies have produced some promising results; however, the products are still far from being routinely applicable.

In contrast to alginate, PharmaCyte Biotech’s Cell-in-Box(R) cellulose sulfate-based technology has properties that make it ideal for live cell encapsulation. Capsules made from this material are robust and remain intact in the body for long periods of time – at least two years. They do not cause inflammatory or other damaging responses to tissues near where they are deposited in the body, and their presence does not cause any response by the immune system. Such capsules have been shown to be safe in two clinical trials involving 27 patients with advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer. Insulin-producing cells, such as pig pancreatic islet cells and hamster pancreatic beta (HIT-15) cells, have been successfully encapsulated using the Cell-in-Box(R) technology. The safety and efficacy of the Cell-in-Box(R) capsules have also been shown in a rat model of diabetes.

“We are excited to be working with Austrianova to combine the Cell-in-Box(R) encapsulation technology with insulin-producing cells that are not derived from the pancreas, thereby avoiding the hurdles that exist in the use of pancreas-derived cells. Hopefully, our efforts will bring comfort to the hundreds of millions of people around the globe who suffer from the effects of this terrible disease. These consequences include diseases of the eye, kidney, nervous system of the extremities and cardiovascular disease,” said Mr. Waggoner.