ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Announces Filing Of Patent Application For A Novel Cancer Stem Cell Vaccine Technology

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 12 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. (OTC: IMUC) (IMUC), a biotechnology company, announced the filing of a provisional U.S. patent application relating to its novel vaccine technology targeting cancer stem cells. The vaccine technology is exclusively licensed from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The patent claims are broad and include compositions of peptides for cancer immunotherapy as well as methods for inducing immune responses against tumor antigens in cancer patients.

The vaccine being developed by IMUC is composed of certain novel peptides (small chains of amino acids) which the company believes can stimulate the immune system to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) in gliomas, a cancer originating in the brain or spine. These peptides were specifically designed to elicit a T cell response targeting CD133 positive cancer stem cells that have been identified in a number of cancer types, including gliomas, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer.

"We are optimistic about the potential of our cancer stem cell vaccine program and look forward to entering the clinic early next year with our cancer stem cell vaccine, ICT-121, a non patient-specific, 'off-the-shelf' product candidate initially targeting glioblastoma," stated Manish Singh, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of IMUC. "This is a potentially revolutionary technology that targets cancer cells where they are believed by many scientists to begin-at their very root in the form of CSCs-and this patent filing, if successful, will significantly enhance our intellectual property position surrounding this vaccine."

About ICT-121

ICT-121 is IMUC's cancer stem cell vaccine that consists of a peptide to stimulate a Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte (CTL) response to CD-133, which is generally overexpressed on the cancer stem cells. It is designed as an off-the-shelf vaccine which may be applicable to multiple types of cancers overexpressing CD-133. IMUC will initially evaluate it in a Phase I clinical study for glioblastoma which, subject to FDA clearance, IMUC plans to commence early next year.

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. Additionally, the company is developing a therapeutic vaccine targeting cancer stem cells for multiple cancer indications 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 http://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 risks associated with generating data to support the provisional patent application for the CSC technology and of obtaining a patent that provides commercially significant protection for this technology; the risk that the CSC technology may infringe the proprietary rights of third parties; the risks associated with obtaining FDA clearance to commence clinical trials of the cancer stem vaccine on a timely basis or at all; the need to satisfy performance milestones to maintain the licenses with Cedars-Sinai; the risks associated with adhering to projected preclinical or clinical timelines and the uncertainties of outcomes of development work for product candidates, including those based on destroying cancer stem cells as a potentially effective treatment for various cancers; and the need for substantial additional capital to fund development of product candidates beyond their initial clinical or pre-clinical stages. 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.

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