Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Tuesday 17 November 2009
GB00B39J5N63
Scancell Holdings Plc
('Scancell Holdings' or the 'Company')
Scancell Selects PharmaNet Development Group for SCIB1 Clinical Trial
Scancell Holdings Plc, (PLUS:SCLP), the parent company of Scancell Limited
('Scancell'), the developer of innovative therapeutic cancer vaccines, is
pleased to announce that it expects to commence its Phase I/II clinical trial
with SCIB in the first half of 2010. PharmaNet Development Group (PharmaNet), a
top-ten clinical research organisation, has been selected for the conduct and
management of the study.
Scancell's SCIB1 is a DNA ImmunoBody® vaccine for the treatment of melanoma.
SCIB1 was developed using Scancell's patented ImmunoBody® technology.
ImmunoBody® vaccines generate the high-avidity T-cells that kill cancer cells,
overcoming the current limitations of most cancer vaccines. Advanced melanoma
currently has a very poor prognosis with late stage (stage IV) disease having a
median survival of approximately six months. According to the World Health
Organisation, 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year and the
incidence is increasing, especially in the United States, Europe and Australia.
PharmaNet has extensive oncology experience from more than 200 studies, at over
9600 investigative sites with over 50,000 patients.
David Evans, Chairman of Scancell, commented:
"We are delighted to have selected PharmaNet to manage Scancell's Phase I/II
clinical trial programme with SCIB1. PharmaNet's extensive experience,
particularly in the management of early stage oncology clinical trials, will be
of critical importance to Scancell as SCIB1 moves into clinical development."
Jeffrey McMullen, President and Chief Executive Officer, PharmaNet Development
Group, commented:
"This is our first project with Scancell. We are thrilled to work on Scancell's
innovative therapeutic cancer vaccine, SCIB1, and are very pleased that they
have entrusted PharmaNet with their study."
The Directors of the issuer accept responsibility for this announcement.
-ENDS-
For further information contact:
Professor Lindy Durrant Scancell Holdings Plc + 44 207 245 1100
John Bick/Kirsty Corcoran Hansard Group + 44 7872 061 007/7515
588 947
Ross Andrews Zeus Capital + 44 (0)161 831 1512
About Scancell
Scancell is developing novel therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer
and infectious diseases based on its groundbreaking ImmunoBody® technology
platform. Scancell's first cancer vaccine SCIB1 is being developed for the
treatment of melanoma and will enter clinical trials in early 2010.
Treating cancer by vaccination allows small non-toxic doses of a vaccine to be
administered to a patient, stimulating an immune response. Effective cancer
vaccines need to target dendritic cells to stimulate both parts of the cellular
immune system; the helper cell system where inflammation is stimulated at the
tumour site; and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte or CTL response where immune system
cells are primed to recognise and kill specific cells.
A limitation of many cancer vaccines currently in development is that they
cannot specifically target dendritic cells in vivo. Several groups have
demonstrated successful vaccination by growing dendritic cells ex vivo, pulsing
them with tumour antigens and re-infusing them. However, this procedure is
patient specific, time consuming and expensive. Scancell has developed its
breakthrough patent protected ImmunoBody® technology to overcome these
limitations.
An ImmunoBody® is a DNA vaccine encoding a human antibody or fusion protein
engineered to express helper cell and CTL epitopes from tumour antigens
over-expressed by cancer cells. Antibodies are ideal vectors for carrying T
cell epitopes from tumour antigens as they can effectively target dendritic
cells via their Fc receptors, allowing efficient stimulation of high avidity
and high frequency helper and CTL responses.
The ImmunoBody® technology can be adapted to provide the basis for treating any
tumour type and may also be of potential utility in the development of vaccines
against hepatitis, HIV and other chronic infectious diseases.
About PharmaNet Development Group, Inc.
PharmaNet Development Group, Inc., a global drug development services company,
provides a comprehensive range of services to the pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, generic drug and medical device industries. The Company offers
early and late stage consulting, Phase I clinical studies and bioanalytical
analyses, and Phase II, III and IV clinical development programs. With
approximately 2,300 employees and 40 facilities throughout the world, PharmaNet
is a recognized leader in outsourced clinical development. For more
information, please visit www.pharmanet.com.
END
SCANCELL HOLDINGS PLC
