PharmaCyte Biotech Appoints Dr. Linda S. Sher as Chief Medical Officer
July 26 2017 - 9:00AM
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:PMCB), a clinical stage
biotechnology company focused on developing targeted therapies for
cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation
technology, Cell-in-a-Box®, today announced the appointment of
Linda S. Sher, M.D. as the company’s Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Sher is a Professor of Clinical Surgery and
Director of Clinical Research in the Division of Hepatobiliary and
Pancreatic Surgery and Abdominal Organ Transplantation at the
University of Southern California’s (USC) Keck School of Medicine.
Dr. Sher is also the Chief of the Division of Clinical Research for
the Department of Surgery where she oversees the implementation and
conduct of clinical trials for the entire department, averaging
between 50 and 70 studies at all times. She is also the Vice Chair
of the USC Institutional Review Board.
PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner,
stated, “We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Dr. Sher’s
credentials and experience in such a critically important position
as our Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Sher will be responsible for the
strategy, direction and execution of PharmaCyte’s clinical
development plans, an essential position for a biotech company
about to embark upon a pivotal trial in pancreatic cancer.
“Not only will Dr. Sher be a key member of the senior management
team, she will oversee our entire clinical research program. Dr.
Sher has been the Principal or Co-Principal Investigator on more
than 50 clinical trials. This experience is invaluable to
PharmaCyte. Dr. Sher is expected to contribute considerably to our
success as a biotech company and, most importantly, to a successful
pivotal trial in pancreatic cancer.”
Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Sher said, “I
am joining PharmaCyte at a major inflection point in the company’s
evolution as a biotech company with potentially game-changing
technology in the way solid tumors are treated. This is an exciting
time for PharmaCyte, and I am pleased that I have been asked to
play such a major and important role in the company.”
Dr. Sher will oversee the structure, conduct and
reporting of PharmaCyte’s clinical trials and will represent
PharmaCyte in its interactions with the company’s clinical trial
investigators, regulatory agencies, key opinion leaders, the
investment, medical and regulatory communities, as well as
pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector collaborators and potential
partners.
After completing her medical school education
and surgical residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New
York, Dr. Sher had fellowship training at the University of
Pittsburgh in Liver and Kidney Transplantation under the tutelage
of Dr. Thomas Starzl. Dr. Starzl was a renowned physician,
researcher and expert on organ transplants. He performed the first
liver transplant and is often referred to as “the father of modern
transplantation.” Following completion of her fellowship program in
1988, Dr. Sher was involved in the establishment of two liver
transplant programs in Los Angeles before joining the USC program
in 2001.
Dr. Sher has participated in the surgery and
management of patients with end stage liver disease, hepatobiliary
and pancreatic disease and liver transplant recipients for more
than 30 years. She has used her experience as Principal or
Co-Principal Investigator for more than 50 clinical trials and as
an opportunity to mentor young faculty at USC in the conduct of
clinical trials. Dr. Sher is active in the clinical and basic
science research components of the Abdominal Organ Transplantation
Program at USC. She has authored or co-authored articles on
immunosuppression, chronic rejection, disease recurrence,
infection, hepatobiliary surgery and transplant outcomes. Dr. Sher
is one of the original editors of Current Opinion in Organ
Transplantation, which provides the reader with an up to date
overview of the entire field of organ transplantation.
About PharmaCyte Biotech
PharmaCyte Biotech is a clinical stage
biotechnology company developing 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. Kenneth L. Waggoner is the Chief
Executive Officer, President, General Counsel and Chairman of the
Board.
PharmaCyte’s therapy for cancer involves
encapsulating genetically engineered human cells that convert an
inactive chemotherapy drug into its active or “cancer-killing”
form. These encapsulated cells are implanted as close to the
patient’s cancerous tumor as possible. 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 the encapsulated cells, they 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 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. 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.
Investor Relations:
PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
Telephone: 917.595.2856
Email: Info@PharmaCyte.com