The conference, sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), is a U.S. national investor forum to explore investment trends and opportunities in life sciences, with a focus on public and venture-stage growth companies. The event is attended by public and private equity investors, research analysts, investment bankers and industry executives focused on investment and business development opportunities in the life sciences industry.
Dr Macdonald will present on DIABECELL®, Living Cell Technologies’ (LCT) treatment designed to normalise the lives of people with insulin dependent diabetes. DIABECELL comprises encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells (islets) that are implanted into the abdomen of patients using a simple laparoscopic procedure, and work by self-regulating and efficiently secreting insulin in the patient’s body. LCT's breakthrough proprietary encapsulation technology, IMMUPEL™, means that patients receiving DIABECELL treatment do not require immunosuppression after implantation.
Dr Macdonald will discuss LCT’s ongoing DIABECELL phase II clinical trial and upcoming development and commercialisation milestones. In July, LCT reported further positive results from its New Zealand Phase II clinical trial of DIABECELL. All four patients with unstable diabetes that were given 10,000 islet equivalents/kg have shown a reduction or elimination of episodes of clinically significant low blood glucose levels, known as hypoglycaemia. In three patients who suffer from hypoglycaemic unawareness, an often life threatening condition, the number of such episodes was reduced by 90% from nineteen (19) events down to just two (2). The dramatic results to date showing DIABECELL’s ability to virtually eliminate this serious complication of diabetes, are key to establishing promising benefit to patients. LCT was also recently granted approval to extend the clinical trial by further four (4) patients, bringing the total number of patients in this trial to twelve (12). These patients, scheduled for Q4 2010, will each be given 20,000 islet equivalents/kg DIABECELL dose. An interim trial update will be announced end of October 2010.
For further information: www.lctglobal.com
At the company: Ms Susanne Clay Chief Business Officer, Living Cell Technologies Tel: +64 9 270 7954 Mobile: +64 21 418 833 sclay@lctglobal.com Media and investor enquiries:
Buchan Consulting
Investor enquiries: Rebecca Wilson Tel: +61 3 9866 4722 Mobile: +61 417 382 391 rwilson@bcg.com.au
Media enquiries: Erik Denison Tel: + 61 2 9237 2800 Mobile: + 61 432 712 278 edenison@bcg.com.au
About Living Cell Technologies - www.lctglobal.com
Living Cell Technologies (LCT) is developing cell-based products to treat life threatening human diseases. The Company owns a biocertified pig herd that it uses as a source of cells for treating diabetes and neurological disorders. For patients with Type 1 diabetes, the Company transplants microencapsulated islet cells so that near-normal blood glucose levels may be achieved without the need for administration of insulin or at significantly reduced levels. The Company entered clinical trials for its diabetes product in 2007. For the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, the company transplants microencapsulated choroid plexus cells that deliver beneficial proteins and neurotrophic factors to the brain. LCT’s technology enables healthy living cells to be injected into patients to replace or repair damaged tissue without requiring the use of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection. LCT also offers medical-grade porcine-derived products for the repair and replacement of damaged tissues, as well as for research and other purposes.
