Singapore, March 21st, 2014 -- Austrianova, a leading cell encapsulation company, announced today that it has been contracted by Nuvilex, Inc. to produce living encapsulated cells to cGMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standard. The two companies signed a Manufacturing Framework Agreement that covers all aspects of the production of the encapsulated live cells. The encapsulated cells, also known as Cell-in-a-Box®, will be used for Nuvilex’s preclinical studies and clinical trials in patients with pancreatic cancer and other types of cancer.
Signing of the Manufacturing Framework Agreement is linked to an initial payment to Austrianova by Nuvilex Inc., as part of a “set-up” fee. Austrianova was contracted by Nuvilex, Inc. to perform the encapsulation because it developed and matured the entire Cell-in-a-Box® cellulose-based live-cell encapsulation process and is considered the world’s foremost experts in this unique and proprietary technology.
The encapsulation of live cells capable of activating anticancer prodrugs such as ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide into its cancer-killing forms will be performed at Austrianova’s cGMP-compliant facilities being established in Thailand. The capsules containing the live cells will be implanted in patients with advanced, non-resectable pancreatic cancer, and together with ifosfamide, will form Nuvilex’s novel treatment for this deadly disease. In addition, the encapsulated cells will be used in connection with Nuvilex’s planned preclinical studies and clinical trials for the treatment of other forms of cancer.
Brian Salmons, the CEO of Austrianova, commented “We are pleased that the U.S. listed biotech company Nuvilex Inc is planning to use our Cell-in-a-Box® technology and has awarded this manufacturing contract to Austrianova for the cGMP-compliant encapsulation of living cells. It represents yet another validation of Austrianova’s Cell-in-a-Box® technology”.
About Austrianova:
Austrianova is a biotech company that utilizes a proprietary, novel living cell encapsulation technology for mammalian (“Cell-in-a-Box®") and bacterial (“Bac-in-a-Box®”) cells. Cell-in-a-Box® protects the encapsulated living cells from rejection by the immune system, allows cells to be easily transported, stored and implanted at specific sites in patients. The technology, which has been proven safe in clinical trials carried out in Europe, allows companies to develop one generic cell line for use as a living pharmaceutical in all patients suffering from a particular disease. Bac-in-a-Box® is a similar protective device for probiotic and other bacteria.
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