LOS ANGELES, April 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. ("ImmunoCellular" or the
Company) (NYSE American: IMUC) announced today that it has been
able to verify successful transfer of the selected T cell receptor
genetic material into human hematopoietic stem cells. This
milestone represents the next important step in validating the
Stem-to-T-Cell approach, and is a key component of the
proof-of-concept work for this technology. This achievement is a
key next step to begin preclinical testing. ImmunoCellular's
Stem-to-T-Cell technology is designed to stimulate the patient's
immune system to produce an unlimited supply of killer T cells that
specifically target and destroy tumor cells with minimal side
effects.
At the end of 2017, the research team at ImmunoCellular
successfully transfected genetic material into human hematopoietic
stem cells. That work was the basis for this most recent
achievement. Successful completion of this phase of work enables
the Company to begin preclinical testing in animals, which, if
successful, could allow ImmunoCellular's Stem-to-T-Cell technology
to advance into human clinical testing.
"We are excited to have achieved this critical next milestone in
our Stem-to-T-Cell program, and are excited to begin the
preclinical animal testing that can lay the foundation for
potentially proceeding toward conducting human clinical trials,"
said Steven J. Swanson, PhD, Senior
Vice President, Research. "We and our collaborators are now working
to design and implement the necessary animal studies to complete
our proof-of-concept work. Our vision is to develop solutions for
intractable cancers, extend the lives of cancer patients, and
provide hope for a potential cure. We believe that our
Stem-to-T-Cell program is potentially a game-changing treatment for
cancer, and could be effective in treating many types of
cancers."
Anthony J. Gringeri, PhD,
President and Chief Executive Officer commented: "We are pleased
with the productivity and achievements to date of our research team
and the continued generation of scientific validation of our
Stem-to-T-Cell program. Continued testing of our novel
immuno-oncology technology may elucidate how it can be applied in a
real-world therapeutic setting, and lead the way toward conducting
clinical trials, including potential exploration of combination
with other approaches. From a corporate perspective, we are pleased
with our ability to achieve our research goals while continuing to
operate in a cost-efficient manner. We are also continuing to
explore potential collaborations for our clinical programs and
other strategic alternatives for our Company."
About ImmunoCellular's Stem-to-T-Cell Program
Based on the technology in-licensed from The California Institute of Technology in 2014
ImmunoCellular's Stem-to-T-Cell program is designed to harness the
power of the immune system in highly directed and specific ways to
engineer highly antigen-specific tumor killing. At the core of the
Stem-to-T-Cell technology is the harvesting of stem cells from
cancer patients and then cloning into them T cell receptors that
are specific for cancer cells. These engineered stem cells can then
be reintroduced into the patient and are pre-programed to produce
daughter cells that are antigen specific killer T cells that are
capable of identifying, binding to, and killing cancer cells.
Because stem cells are immortal, these reengineered stem cells
could provide a natural and perpetual source of T cells that can
target and destroy cancer cells in the patient.
The Stem-to-T-Cell platform has the potential to address many
types of cancer, including both solid and hematological tumors and
has the potential to result in a potentially curative therapy for
many different types of cancers. The stem cell platform represents
a novel and more direct approach to generating killer T cells by
using the patient's stem cells as starting material. Thus,
ImmunoCellular's Stem-to-T-Cell technology shares some similarities
with other immuno-oncology technologies, such as CAR-T, and could
potentially be used in combination approaches. Unlike CAR-T
therapies which deliver a large bolus of active T cells into the
patient's circulation and have been associated with toxicity in
some patients, ImmunoCellular's approach enables a more gradual and
measured release of killer T cells and has the potential for lower
toxicity while also yielding a more sustained response.
About ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. is a Los Angeles-based clinical-stage company that
is developing immune-based therapies for the treatment of brain and
other cancers. ImmunoCellular's pipeline includes: a Stem-to-T-Cell
research program, which engineers hematopoietic stem cells to
generate cytotoxic T cells; ICT-121, a patient-specific, dendritic
cell-based immunotherapy targeting CD133 found in recurrent
glioblastoma; and ICT-140, a patient-specific, dendritic cell-based
immunotherapy targeting ovarian cancer. ImmunoCellular recently
announced the wind down of its phase 3 trial of ICT-107 in HLA-A2
patients while it pursues a collaborative arrangement or sale of
its ICT-107 program. To learn more about ImmunoCellular, please
visit www.imuc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements for ImmunoCellular Therapeutics
This press release contains certain forward-looking
statements, including statements regarding ImmunoCellular's
intentions and current expectations concerning, among other things,
ImmunoCellular's ability to advance its Stem-to-T-Cell program to
preclinical testing in animals and human clinical testing;
ImmunoCellular's ability to finance its ongoing operations; the
potential benefits and therapeutic utility of ImmunoCellular's
Stem-to-T-Cell program and other product candidates; the
likelihood, timing and outcome of ImmunoCellular's possible
strategic alternatives; and ImmunoCellular's ability to achieve its
other clinical, operational, strategic and financial goals.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including
the availability of resources to continue to develop
ImmunoCellular's product candidates and the uncertain timing of
completion and success of ImmunoCellular's proof-of-concept work
and preclinical trials. Additional risks and uncertainties are
described under the heading "Risk Factors" in ImmunoCellular's most
recently filed annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2017. Except as required
by law, ImmunoCellular undertakes no obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Investor Relations
Jane Green
415.652.4819
jane@jmgcomm.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Lytham Partners, LLC
Joe Dorame, Robert Blum, or
Joseph Diaz
(602) 889-9700
imuc@lythampartners.com
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/immunocellular-therapeutics-announces-achievement-of-next-key-milestone-in-stem-to-t-cell-research-immuno-oncology-program-300628677.html
SOURCE ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.