NEWS
SAN DIEGO & NEW YORK, Jan 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aethlon Medical, Inc. (AEMD, Trade ), a pioneer in developing therapeutic devices for infectious disease and advanced blood filtration, and Delcath Systems, Inc. (DCTH, Trade ), a development stage company focused on developing and marketing a proprietary drug delivery system, today announced a collaboration to jointly research and develop an advanced filtration cartridge for potential use in Delcath Systems' percutaneous hepatic perfusion ("PHP") system. PHP is a technology designed to isolate and deliver high doses of anti-cancer agents to specific organs or regions of the body, while minimizing the exposure of the drugs to the rest of the body.
Under the terms of the agreement, Aethlon Medical is researching and developing a hybrid filter technology capable of removing traditional anti-cancer agents, as well as newer drug agents that may not be candidates for traditional carbon-based filters, from the blood. Delcath will fund the initial stage of this collaboration through the purchase of 100,000 Aethlon Medical common shares at $1.00 per share.
Commenting on the agreement, Richard Taney, President and CEO of Delcath, stated, "We continue seeking ways to improve and extend the applications for Delcath's platform technology. Recent advances in filtration technologies make this an area of focus for our company as we seek to expand the potential applications for the Delcath System. Activated carbon is a very efficient broad-spectrum filter medium for the majority of anti-cancer agents, but we continue to investigate novel technologies that will enable physicians to use our system with additional drugs. By funding this collaboration, we establish a relationship with one of the leading innovators in the area of blood filtration and extend our proprietary advantage. Aethlon has demonstrated expertise in advanced filtration technologies and is well positioned to assist us in this endeavor."
"We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Delcath in advancing their unique platform technology towards the goal of improved clinical outcomes for cancer patients," stated James A. Joyce, Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical. "The Delcath relationship also provides the possibility of expanding our product pipeline by developing and supplying a therapeutic application not targeted by our Hemopurifier(R)," concluded Joyce.
About Delcath Systems, Inc.
Delcath Systems is a developmental stage company testing its percutaneous perfusion technology for the isolated delivery of high doses of therapeutic and chemotherapeutic agents. The Delcath System is currently being tested in Phase III and Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic tumors in the liver, including melanomas, neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinomas. The Company's intellectual property portfolio currently consists of 28 patents on a worldwide basis including the U.S., Europe, Asia and Canada. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.delcath.com .
