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Delcath and Aethlon Medical Sign Collaboration Agreement to Research and Develop Advanced Filtration Technology
SAN DIEGO & NEW YORK, Jan 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD), a pioneer in developing therapeutic devices for infectious disease and advanced blood filtration, and Delcath Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DCTH), 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.
About Aethlon Medical, Inc.
Aethlon Medical is the developer of the Hemopurifier(R), a first-in-class medical device designed to treat infectious disease. The Hemopurifier(R) provides real-time therapeutic filtration of infectious viruses, toxins, and immunosuppressive particles, and is positioned to address the largest opportunity in infectious disease, the treatment of drug and vaccine resistant viruses. The device also holds promise in cancer care, as research studies have verified the capability of the Hemopurifier(R) to rapidly remove immunosuppressive particles that are secreted by tumors. The Hemopurifier(R) is targeted for use a stand-alone therapeutic, and as an adjunct treatment able to improve the clinical benefit of established and candidate therapies. Pre-clinical studies conducted by researchers representing leading government and non-government health organizations both in the United States and abroad have documented the effectiveness of the Hemopurifier(R) in capturing pandemic threats, including H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu), and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) from circulation. Studies are also being conducted to support the use of the Hemopurifier(R) as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against bioterror threats, including Smallpox, and Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa hemorrhagic fever. Regulatory and commercialization initiatives in the United States are presently focused on bioterror threats, while international initiatives are directed toward naturally evolving pandemic threats, and chronic infectious disease conditions including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis-C (HCV). Aethlon has previously demonstrated safety of the Hemopurifier(R) in a 24-treatment human study at the Apollo Hospital in Delhi, India, and is currently conducting further human studies at the Fortis Hospital, also located in Delhi. The Company has submitted an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to advancing the Hemopurifier(R) as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against category "A" bioterror threats. Additional information regarding Aethlon Medical and its Hemopurifier(R) technology is available online at www.aethlonmedical.com.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to our ability to successfully complete Phase III clinical trials and secure regulatory approval of our current or future drug-delivery system and uncertainties regarding our ability to obtain financial and other resources for any research, development and commercialization activities. These factors, and others, are discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they are made.
SOURCE: Aethlon Medical, Inc.
Aethlon Medical, Inc.
Jeff Richardson
Senior Director, Communications
858-459-7800 x302, jrichardson@aethlonmedical.com or
Delcath Systems, Inc.
Richard Taney, 212-489-2100
www.delcath.com or
Argot Partners LLC
Andrea Rabney
andrea@argotpartners.com
