ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Licenses Additional Cancer Stem Cell Technologies from Cedars-Sinai
Technology May Be Applicable to Multiple Types of Cancer
Wednesday July 9, 9:00 am ET
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. (OTC: IMUC.OB ) (IMUC), a biotechnology company, announced today that the company has exclusively licensed from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, certain novel peptides (small chains of amino acids) which the Company believes can stimulate the immune system to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) in gliomas, a cancer originating in the brain or spine. These peptides were specifically designed to elicit a T cell response targeting CD133 positive cancer stem cells that have been identified in a number of cancer types, including gliomas, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer.
"This technology allows us to leap frog to development of the next generation of cancer stem cell vaccines which could be used in an off-the-shelf manner targeting multiple cancers. It is potentially a revolutionary finding, and we are looking forward to bringing this into the clinic at the earliest possible date," stated Manish Singh, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of IMUC.
"Cancer stem cells are believed by many scientific researchers to give rise to cancer cells, so we hope that targeting the cancer cells at the very root-the stem cells-with our CSC vaccines may be an effective way to eradicate cancer cells. We have generated encouraging preclinical data with our CSC vaccine, ICT-111, which is expected to enter a first in human clinical trial later this year, and we have initiated preclinical development with our newly acquired technology from Cedars-Sinai, which should enable us to develop an additional CSC vaccine," stated John Yu, M.D., chairman of the board of IMUC and co-inventor of the technology at Cedars-Sinai.
About ICT-111
ICT-111 is IMUC's cancer stem cell vaccine which consists of dendritic cells-immune system cells responsible for presenting antigens (immune system targets) to the immune system-which are obtained from the patient's blood and "programmed" with a specific cancer stem cell protein which in turn provides a target for the immune system. The immune system should then be armed to potentially seek and destroy the remaining cancer stem cells. ICT-111 may have applicability to multiple types of cancer, but IMUC will initially evaluate it in a Phase I clinical study for glioblastoma which, subject to FDA clearance, IMUC plans to commence later this year.
About ImmunoCellular Therapeutics
IMUC is a Los Angeles-based clinical-stage company that is developing immune based therapies for the treatment of brain and other cancers. IMUC's lead product candidate-a dendritic cell-based vaccine for treating brain tumors-is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial. Additionally, the company is developing a therapeutic vaccine targeting cancer stem cells for multiple cancer indications and is also evaluating its platform technology for monoclonal antibody discovery using differential immunization for diagnosing and treating multiple types of cancer. To learn more about IMUC, please visit www.imuc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation the risks associated with obtaining FDA clearance to commence clinical trials of cancer stem vaccines on a timely basis or at all; the need to satisfy performance milestones to maintain the license with Cedars-Sinai; the risks associated with adhering to projected preclinical or clinical timelines and the uncertainties of outcomes of development work for product candidates, including those based on destroying cancer stem cells as a potentially effective treatment for various cancers; the need for substantial additional capital to fund development of product candidates beyond their initial clinical or pre-clinical stages; the risks associated with obtaining and maintaining patent protection for vaccine and antibody product candidates and the lack of patent coverage for the differential immunization platform discovery technology; and the risk of the ability to retain and recruit senior management personnel. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in IMUC's most recently filed SEC documents, such as its most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB, all quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and any current reports on Form 8-K. IMUC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact Information:
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Jennifer Cook Williams
Investor Relations
Tel: (360) 668-3701
Email: ir@imuc.com
Source: ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
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