LAGUNA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted cellular therapies for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, today announced that it has appointed David A. Judd to PharmaCyte’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. Mr. Judd has had over 30 years of experience in the research and development of cell culture materials and methods for the culturing various types of human cells. Most importantly, Mr. Judd has worked for many years with the cells that PharmaCyte uses in its treatment of cancer and has a wealth of knowledge regarding their growth properties.
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PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, stated, “We feel the appointment of Mr. Judd to our Medical and Scientific Advisory Board comes at a crucial time as we work with our colleagues at Austrianova to conduct the final manufacturing runs to produce successfully the encapsulated cells that are needed for our clinical trial in locally advanced, non-metastatic, pancreatic cancer.”
Mr. Waggoner continued, “Mr. Judd was so intrigued by the possibility that our platform technology may change the way many solid tumors are treated, with little to no chemotherapy side effects, that he volunteered to work with us months ago. He has made significant contributions to our efforts in working with Austrianova to ensure that the cells from our Master Cell Bank grow as they should, both pre and post-encapsulation. During a critical time in realigning certain aspects of the manufacturing process, Mr. Judd accompanied us as an advisor to Austrianova’s cGMP manufacturing facility in Bangkok, Thailand, where the encapsulation of our cells is taking place.
“In a recent video interview, which can be viewed at www.PharmaCyte.com/Media, I spoke to why we selected Mr. Judd to join our team and the contributions he has already made to our Cancer Program. We believe that Mr. Judd’s talents and expertise will be invaluable in the development of cellular therapies for cancer as well as our efforts in the development of cellular therapies for diabetes.”
Mr. Judd is a graduate of the Biotechnology program at Rochester Institute of Technology, the first Biotechnology program in the United States. He has over 30 years of experience in cell culture and biochemistry in research and in a cGMP environment. Also, he has extensive experience in research and development of cell culture medium, both in the upstream and downstream processes.
Mr. Judd is currently employed by the Grand Island Biotechnology Company (Gibco) and is involved in research, process development and cGMP production of biotechnology and cell therapy processes.
Mr. Judd has been employed by Gibco (now owned by ThermoFischer Scientific) for 29 years and is a co-inventor on 5 patents involving cell culture materials.
About PharmaCyte Biotech:
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for cancer and diabetes based upon a proprietary cellulose-based live cell encapsulation technology known as “Cell-in-a-Box®.” This technology will be used as a platform upon which therapies for several types of cancer and diabetes are being developed.
PharmaCyte’s therapy for cancer involves encapsulating genetically engineered human cells that convert an inactive chemotherapy drug into its active or “cancer-killing” form. For pancreatic cancer, these encapsulated cells are implanted in the blood supply to the patient’s tumor as close as possible to the site of the tumor. Once implanted, a chemotherapy drug that is normally activated in the liver (ifosfamide) is given intravenously at one-third the normal dose. The ifosfamide is carried by the circulatory system to where the encapsulated cells have been implanted. When the ifosfamide flows through pores in the capsules, the live cells inside act as a “bio-artificial liver” and activate the chemotherapy drug at the site of the cancer. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven effective and safe to use in past clinical trials and results in little to no treatment related side effects.
PharmaCyte’s therapy for Type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes involves encapsulating a human cell line that has been genetically engineered to produce, store and release insulin in response to the levels of blood sugar in the human body. PharmaCyte is exploring the use of genetically modified liver cells, stem cells and beta islet cells. The encapsulation will be done using the Cell-in-a-Box® technology. Once the encapsulated cells are implanted in a diabetic patient, they will function as a “bio-artificial pancreas” for purposes of insulin production.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “will,” “outlook” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement because of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements due to the impact of numerous risk factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyte.com. Information may also be obtained by contacting PharmaCyte’s Investor Relations Department.
