Austrianova Release: Human Clinical Trials Confirm Safety And Efficacy Of Encapsulated Cell Treatment For Pancreatic Cancer

Clinical trial data on safety, efficacy and lack of toxicity of encapsulated cells plus low dose chemotherapy for cancer of the pancreas published

Singapore, August 14th 2014

Austrianova announced today the publication of a paper in the open access, peer reviewed, journal Pharmaceutics (http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/6/3/447/htm) showing the safety and efficacy of using encapsulated cells to treat pancreatic cancer. The results from a new previously unreported phase 2 multicentre clinical trial were presented and were compared with data from the first clinical trial previously published in The Lancet and Cancer Therapy. In both trials encapsulated cells were used to allow lower doses of chemotherapy to be used for effective treatment of pancreatic cancer while minimising the usual side effects. The newly published data from the phase 2 multicentre trial confirmed the results obtained in the previous trial and also confirmed the dose of chemotherapy administered in that trial. The trial also demonstrated that the procedure could be performed in 4 independent clinical centres located in two different countries. The survival data from these trials compares favourably with recently developed treatments for pancreatic cancer like abraxane and FOLFIRINOX, showing similar efficacy but with less toxicity. Austrianova’s partner, Nuvilex,Inc. will aim to provide additional clinical evidence in their upcoming clinical trials.

Brian Salmons, CEO of Austrianova stated “This publication summarises the clinical experience that has been obtained using encapsulated cells in combination with low dose chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in a total of 27 patients and forms the basis for future trials. We are pleased that the data has been published in the rigorously peer-reviewed, international journal Pharmaceutics”.

Walter H. Gunzburg, Chairman and CTO of Austrianovasaid “Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease. This data strongly supports the use of encapsulated cells as an effective tool in the oncologist’s arsenal, while at the same time providing a low toxicity treatment option for patients. We look forward to working together with Nuvilex, Inc., with the help of the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), to bring this technology into further trials so it becomes mainstream clinical practice as quickly as possible.”

A full PDF copy of the journal article published in Pharmaceutics can be downloaded by <clicking here> or alternatively you can view the article in the publications section of our website.