SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (PMCB), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted treatments for cancer and diabetes using its signature live cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box^(R), today reported that the first preclinical evaluation of its proprietary Melligen cell line for the treatment of diabetes has commenced in the Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. This study is the first of a number of preclinical studies that will be performed. These studies are designed to test the safety, efficacy and dosing of Melligen cells, a human cell line engineered to produce and store insulin and secrete it at levels in proportion to the levels of glucose (blood sugar) in the human body.

The insulin-producing Melligen cell line that will be encapsulated using the Cell-in-a-Box^(R)technology was developed by PharmaCyte Biotech’s international Diabetes Consortium partner, Prof. Ann M. Simpson, at the University of Technology Sydney. The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna group and Austrianova are also members of PharmaCyte Biotech’s international Diabetes Consortium. Austrianova has previously encapsulated Melligen cells and has successfully performed preliminary in vitro analyses of them.

Kenneth L. Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte Biotech, said, “We are pleased that our first preclinical study on the use of the Melligen cell line has begun so rapidly after the establishment of our international Diabetes Consortium. This group brings together key world-renowned scientists and physicians in a number of areas that are crucial for the development of PharmaCyte Biotech’s novel Cell-in-a-Box^(R)-based treatment for diabetes.”

About PharmaCyte Biotech

PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing and preparing to commercialize treatments for cancer and diabetes based upon a proprietary cellulose-based live cell encapsulation technology known as Cell-in-a-Box^(R). This unique and patented technology will be used as a platform upon which treatments for several types of cancer, including advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer, and diabetes are being built. PharmaCyte Biotech’s treatment for pancreatic cancer involves low doses of the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its active or “cancer-killing” form. These capsules are placed as close to the cancerous tumor as possible to enable the delivery of the highest levels of the cancer-killing drug at the source of the cancer. This “targeted chemotherapy” has proven remarkably effective in past clinical trials. PharmaCyte Biotech is also working towards improving the quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other types of solid cancerous tumors. In addition, PharmaCyte Biotech is developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. In doing so, PharmaCyte Biotech is examining ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box^(R) technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides PharmaCyte Biotech the rare opportunity to develop “green” approaches to fighting deadly diseases, such as cancer of the pancreas, brain and breast, which affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every year.

Safe Harbor

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding PharmaCyte Biotech and its future events and results that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions, as they relate to PharmaCyte Biotech or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of PharmaCyte Biotech, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. They include PharmaCyte Biotech’s ability to continue as a going concern, delays or unsuccessful results in preclinical and clinical trials, flaws or defects regarding its product candidates, changes in relevant legislation or regulatory requirements, uncertainty of protection of PharmaCyte Biotech’s intellectual property and PharmaCyte Biotech’s continued ability to raise capital. PharmaCyte Biotech does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

More information about PharmaCyte Biotech can be found at www.PharmaCyteBiotech.com. It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.

Investor Relations Contacts:
Jamien Jones
Blueprint Life Science Group
Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 103
jjones@bplifescience.com