SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company providing cell and gene therapy solutions for the treatment of diseases, today announced that its partner, Austrianova, successfully completed the first live cell encapsulation at Austrianova's new facility in the Thai Science Park in Bangkok, Thailand. This is an important milestone in assuring the facility is compliant with the current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and that the encapsulation of the cancer prodrug-activating cells used in the Cell-in-a-Box ® technology platform, as part of Nuvilex's pancreatic cancer treatment, will be fully functional.
"We congratulate Austrianova on the implementation of its Cell-in-a-Box technology at its new state-of-the-art encapsulation facility," stated Kenneth L. Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of Nuvilex. He added, "Additional encapsulation processes will be conducted to validate the overall encapsulation process and obtain data required for regulatory authorities to certify that the facility, equipment and encapsulation process are cGMP-compliant. We are extremely grateful to all of our colleagues at Austrianova for their long hours of hard work that were necessary for this milestone to be reached so quickly. Nuvilex is now one step closer to initiating a Phase 2b pancreatic cancer clinical trial."
Dr. Brian Salmons, Chief Executive Officer of Austrianova, added, "We are extremely pleased that we have been able to produce capsules of the same quality and standard as those previously used for the Cell-in-a-Box ® process. We accomplished this in a very short time after our encapsulation facility was opened here in Thailand."
About Nuvilex
Nuvilex 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 ® . 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. Nuvilex's treatment for pancreatic cancer involves the well-known anticancer prodrug ifosfamide, together with encapsulated live cells, which convert ifosfamide into its active or "cancer-killing" form. In addition, Nuvilex is working towards improving the quality of life for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and on treatments for other types of solid cancerous tumors. Nuvilex is also developing treatments for cancer based upon chemical constituents of marijuana known as cannabinoids. Nuvilex is examining ways to exploit the benefits of Cell-in-a-Box ® technology in optimizing the anticancer effectiveness of cannabinoids, while minimizing or outright eliminating the debilitating side effects usually associated with cancer treatments. This provides Nuvilex an exceptional opportunity to develop "green" approaches to fighting deadly cancers, such as those 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 Nuvilex 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 Nuvilex or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors, many of which are beyond the control of Nuvilex, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. They include Nuvilex's ability to continue as a going concern, delays or unsuccessful results in clinical trials or flaws or defects regarding its product candidates, changes in relevant legislation or regulatory requirements, uncertainty of protection of Nuvilex's intellectual property and Nuvilex's continued ability to raise capital. Nuvilex does not assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
More information about Nuvilex can be found at www.nuvilex.com . It can also be obtained by contacting Investor Relations.
Investor Relations Contacts: Clare Matschullat Blueprint Life Science Group Telephone: 415.375.3340 Ext. 106
