SAN DIEGO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/25/13 -- Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (OTCQB: BMSN) announced today that its Regen BioPharma subsidiary is currently developing research plans for its breast cancer immunotherapeutic product, dCellVax. This cell therapy is based on patent # 8,389,708 obtained from Dr. Wei-Ping Min of the University of Western Ontario as well as an international patent portfolio licensed from Benitech Biopharma Ltd.
The dCellVax therapeutic product is based on extracting blood from patients, growing a specialized type of immune cell from the blood called the "dendritic cell" and then subsequently genetically modifying the dendritic cell to become resistant to cancer's immune suppressive activity. It is known that cancer modifies the immune system by producing proteins which result in immune suppression. One such protein which cancer stimulates is an enzyme, indolamine 2,3 deoxygenase (IDO), which cancer turns on in dendritic cells. While dendritic cells are usually immune stimulators, dendritic cells found in cancer patients suppress the immune system as a result of expressing IDO.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario, led by Dr. Wei-Ping Min, have demonstrated that using a genetic blockade of IDO in dendritic cells makes them resistant to the effects of cancer, and allows them to stimulate potent immune responses against tumors. The use of these modified dendritic cells has been previously demonstrated and published in peer-reviewed journals in the melanoma and breast cancer mouse models(1),(2).
Regen is currently working with the contract research organization (CRO) bioRASI LLC together with Dr. Wei-Ping Min's group at manufacturing human dCellVax. Additionally, the recruitment of David Suhy, PhD from Benitec's subsidiary Tacera to Regen's Scientific Advisory Board will provide in-house clinical translation experience in the area of genetic based therapies. Dr. Suhy was essential in the development of the gene-based hepatitis drug in collaboration with Pfizer.
Regen identified the following milestones in the anticipated further development of dCellVax:
a) Generation of human dCellVax: 2 months
b) In vitro demonstration of dCellVax efficacy: 1 month
c) FDA-requested toxicology: 4 months
d) IND submission: 1 month
Regen BioPharma's Chairman & CEO David Koos commented "I am excited to see the progress our company is making. Currently in our pipeline we have two products under development, HemaXellerate (a treatment for aplastic anemia) and now dCellVax (a cancer immuno-therapeutic). I believe these two areas represent a solid foundation for our company."
About Regen BioPharma: Regen BioPharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc. (OTCQB: BMSN), is a biotechnology company focused on identifying undervalued regenerative medicine applications in the stem cell space and rapidly advancing these technologies through pre-clinical and Phase I/ II clinical trials. For more information refer to the company's website http://www.regenbiopharma.com/
Disclaimer: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks.
(1) Zheng et al. Silencing IDO in dendritic cells: a novel approach to enhance cancer immunotherapy in a murine breast cancer model. Int J Cancer. 2013 Feb 15;132(4):967-77).
(2) Zheng et al. J Immunol. 2006 Oct 15;177(8):5639-46
Contact:
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc. and
Regen BioPharma Inc.
David R. Koos, PhD
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
619-702-1404
www.regenbiopharma.com
