Immunocellular Theraputics Granted Patents Covering Its Lead Monoclonal Antibody Cancer Product Candidate
Tuesday October 21, 9:00 am ET
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. (OTC: IMUC.OB ) (IMUC), a biotechnology company, announced the issuance of two separate U.S. patents relating to the company's monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Patents No. 7,435,415 and No. 7,435,554 are both entitled "Monoclonal Antibodies and Cell Surface Antigens for the Detection and Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)." The inventions cover methods for the detection of certain specific epitopes in the SCLC patient and for treating those patients with the company's monoclonal antibodies in a targeted manner. IMUC's lead monoclonal antibody product candidate, ICT-109, which has demonstrated encouraging preliminary data in pre-clinical studies, is projected by IMUC to enter clinical trials in 2010 for SCLC and pancreatic cancer indications.
"These two patents strengthen our patent protection around our lead antibody program and make this a very attractive asset for potential partnering with larger companies looking to fill their product portfolios," stated Manish Singh, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of IMUC. "Small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer are terrible diseases with very limited therapeutic options. Our antibodies have the potential to detect these cancers early and treat them in a targeted manner, opening potential new avenues for treatments."
IMUC, through its acquisition of monoclonal antibody-related technology from Molecular Discoveries LLC, has several novel monoclonal antibodies. ICT-109, the company's lead antibody, is a monoclonal antibody targeting small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. This candidate is currently in pre-clinical development, and the company plans to couple it with a diagnostic kit to prescreen patients for the specific antigens that bind to ICT-109.
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. The company's "off the shelf" therapeutic vaccine product candidate targeting cancer stem cells for multiple cancer indications is expected to enter clinical trials during the first half of 2009. IMUC is in pre-clinical development of a monoclonal antibody product candidate for the treatment of small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, 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 need to confirm the continuation and success of research agreements, including the antibody humanization agreement with Antitope Ltd.; the need to confirm preliminary pre-clinical data for IMUC's lead monoclonal antibody product candidate; the risk that patents issued for IMUC's monoclonal antibody product candidates may not be enforceable or may not provide commercially significant protection for these candidates; the need for substantial additional capital to fund development of product candidates beyond their initial clinical or pre-clinical stages; and the risks associated with pre-clinical and clinical development of product candidates. 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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