$IMUC ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Announces Achiev

$IMUC ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Announces Achievement of Next Key Milestone in Stem-to-T-Cell Research Immuno-Oncology Program

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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.