Cellceutix To President Obama: We Have The Tools And Will Rise Up To The Challenge To Prevent Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Becoming A Serious Threat To Public Health

BEVERLY, MA--(Marketwired - September 19, 2014) - Cellceutix Corporation (OTCQB: CTIX) (the “Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies in oncology, dermatology, and antibiotic applications, commends President Barack Obama for signing an Executive Order on Thursday, September 18, ordering federal agencies to launch a concerted effort to combat the growing threat from bacteria that is resistant to antibiotic treatment. The Obama administration’s measures are part of the first major federal effort to confront a public health problem that takes at least 23,000 lives a year and has an estimated annual impact of on the national economy of $20 billion in excess direct health care costs.

See New Executive Actions to Combat Antibiotic Resistance and Protect Public Health: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/09/18/new-executive-actions-combat-antibiotic-resistance-and-protect-public-health

Cellceutix may have one of the world’s best technologies for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria in its novel class of antibiotics called defensin mimetics. They are modeled after host defense proteins, the front line of defense in the innate human immune system. The drug destroys bacteria just like the body would naturally by penetrating the bacterial cell wall, rather than via a biochemical approach like most classes of antibiotics do today. This unique mechanism of action reduces the likelihood of bacterial resistance developing to almost nil.

The public is aware of the Ebola virus threat, but may not be as aware of today’s deadly bacteria. Among the deadliest of resistant bacteria and a major threat to public health is Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia, or CRKP. Cellceutix has been targeting this bacteria and expects to shortly release its study findings. The drug, if successful, would be a major breakthrough.

Cellceutix in approximately one and a half months expects to have have top-line data from its Phase 2b trial of its antibiotic Brilacidin for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections. Cellceutix believes this Presidential Order could not arrive at a better time and is optimistic that the data from the trial will demonstrate that its novel defensin-mimetic platform shreds bacteria quickly with little-to-no chance of resistance developing. Cellceutix believes positive data will position it perfectly to move forward quickly not only with Brilacidin, but its entire defensin-mimetic portfolio with support from the new Presidential Order.

“If we achieve successful data from the recently completed Phase 2 trial, my hope is that people will understand the defensin mimetic’s potential. It’s no longer a world class antibiotic drug, but a world class platform to fight serious public health threats,” commented Leo Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer of Cellceutix.

About Cellceutix:
Headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, Cellceutix is a publicly traded company under the symbol “CTIX”. Cellceutix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies in oncology, dermatology and antibiotic applications. Cellceutix believes it has a world-class portfolio of compounds and is now engaged in advancing its compounds and seeking strategic partnerships. Cellceutix’s anti-cancer drug Kevetrin is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial at Harvard Cancer Centers’ Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. In the laboratory Kevetrin has shown to induce activation of p53, often referred to as the “Guardian Angel Gene” due to its crucial role in controlling cell mutations. Cellceutix has submitted an IND to the FDA for its planned Phase 2 clinical trial with its novel compound Brilacidin-OM for the prevention and treatment of Oral Mucositis. Brilacidin-OM, a defensin mimetic compound, has shown in the laboratory to reduce the occurrence of severe ulcerative oral mucositis by more than 94% compared to placebo. Cellceutix’s anti-psoriasis drug Prurisol has recently completed a Phase 1 clinical trial and is being readied for a Phase 2 trial. Prurisol is a small molecule that acts through immune modulation and PRINS reduction. Cellceutix’s key antibiotic, Brilacidin, has completed a Phase 2b trial for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections, or ABSSSI. Top line data is expected October/November 2014. Brilacidin has the potential to be a single-dose therapy for multi-drug resistant bacteria (Superbugs). Cellceutix has formed research collaborations with world-renowned research institutions in the United States and Europe, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Bologna. More information is available on the Cellceutix web site at www.cellceutix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause Cellceutix’s actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward looking statements. Cellceutix has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “estimates,” “looks,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “goal,” “potential,” “may,” “suggest,” and similar expressions. Among other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are Cellceutix’s need for, and the availability of, substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and research and development; including the amount and timing of the sale of shares of common stock to Aspire Capital; the fact that Cellceutix’s compounds may not successfully complete pre-clinical or clinical testing, or be granted regulatory approval to be sold and marketed in the United States or elsewhere. A more complete description of these risk factors is included in Cellceutix’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Cellceutix undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation.