SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), an international biotechnology company providing cell and gene therapy solutions for the treatment of diseases, announced today that Dr. Walter H. Gunzburg, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Nuvilex's partner Austrianova, will present at the international Phacilitate Cell & Gene Therapy Forum 2014 to be held in Washington, DC January 27-29, 2014. Dr. Gunzburg is the co-developer of the novel proprietary and patented cell encapsulation technology that Nuvilex expects will have a profound effect on how cancers and diabetes will be treated in the future.
In his presentation, Dr. Gunzburg will present data that will explain the nature of the cellulose-based live-cell encapsulation technology known as Cell-in-a-Box ™ . In addition to discussing the use of this technology for the encapsulation of stem cells, Dr. Gunzburg will speak to its use as a pivotal part of Nuvilex's treatment for advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer. Dr. Gunzburg will emphasize the results of earlier Phase 1/2 clinical trials using Nuvilex's treatment for this deadly disease. The worldwide exclusive rights to use the Cell-in-a-Box ™ technology in developing treatments for pancreatic and all other forms of cancer, as well as for diabetes, were acquired by Nuvilex from SG Austria Pte. Ltd. (Austrianova) and Austrianova Singapore Pte. Ltd., respectively, in 2013.
Nuvilex's proprietary pancreatic cancer treatment consists of the combination of low doses of the well-known anti-cancer prodrug ifosfamide with ifosfamide-activating (convert ifosfamide into its "cancer-killing" form) cells that have been encapsulated using the Cell-in-a-Box ™ technology. In Phase 1/2 clinical trials in patients with advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer, Nuvilex's treatment was shown to essentially double the median survival time and percentage of one-year survivors over those seen in historical data for Gemzar ® (gemcitabine), the only drug approved to date by the FDA as a single agent for the treatment of the disease. But unlike Gemzar ® , Nuvilex's treatment had no serious treatment-related side effects associated with it.
The Phacilitate Cell & Gene Therapy Forum is an international three-day event held annually that focuses on business and strategic issues related to the development of cell therapies and related technologies. It is considered the world's leading strategic and partnering event globally for those in the cell and gene therapy sectors. Sponsors of, and participants in, the event include many of the world's major pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Attendees also include major decision makers from those entities, regulatory personnel and others who join to discuss advances, challenges and opportunities in cell and gene therapy.
Commenting on Dr. Gunzburg's appearance at, and participation in, next week's international Cell & Gene Therapy Forum, Nuvilex CEO and President, Kenneth L. Waggoner, commented, "Dr. Gunzburg's research and development of the cellulose-based Cell-in-a-Box ™ technology may revolutionize the way many experts view how difficult-to-treat cancers will be managed in the future. We're confident that his presentation and involvement in two panel discussions will capture the imaginations of experts at the Forum. We also strongly believe that the work Dr. Gunzburg and his colleagues have already accomplished, together with research Nuvilex is carrying out itself, via its subsidiary Medical Marijuana Sciences and with potential partners, may result in a sea change in the way many deadly and debilitating diseases are approached and treated in the future."
About Nuvilex:
Nuvilex is a biotechnology company focused on developing and preparing to commercialize treatments for cancer and diabetes based upon a proprietary cellulose-based live-cell encapsulation technology, called Cell-in-a-Box ™ . This unique 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. The Company's treatment for pancreatic cancer involves the use of the widely used anticancer prodrug, ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells that convert ifosfamide into its active or "cancer-killing" form. Nuvilex's subsidiary, Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc., is dedicated to the development of cancer treatments based upon chemical constituents of marijuana known as cannabinoids. To do so, it will examine ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box™ technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids against cancers while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides Medical Marijuana Sciences a unique opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly cancers, such as those of the pancreas, brain, breast and prostate, that affect hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide every year.
Safe Harbor:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding Nuvilex and its future events and results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding Nuvilex's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations and business conditions are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of Nuvilex, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include general economic or business conditions, changes in legislation or regulatory requirements, conditions of the securities markets, Nuvilex's ability to raise capital, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, financial or political instability and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting the plans, operations, products and services of Nuvilex and its subsidiaries.
Nuvilex has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Nuvilex. Nuvilex does not assume any obligations to update any of these forward-looking statements.
More information about Nuvilex and Medical Marijuana Sciences can be found at www.nuvilex.com and www.medicalmarijuanasciences.com . It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Investor Relations Contact: Marlin Molinaro Marmel Communications, LLC Ph: (702) 434-8692
