– Data Presentation at American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2016 –
Berkeley, CA and Vancouver, BC – April 12, 2016 – BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (“BriaCell” or the “Company”) (TSXV: BCT) (OTCQB: BCTXF) is very pleased to announce that it has filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) outlining certain features thought to improve clinical efficacy of whole-cell cancer vaccines.
The patent application, entitled “WHOLE-CELL CANCER VACCINES EXPRESSING IMMUNE STIMULATORS”, is based on molecular analyses of both the Company’s lead anti-cancer product candidate, BriaVax™, and blood samples collected from patients treated with BriaVax™ in a previous Phase I clinical study. BriaCell has identified a “gene signature” in BriaVax™ that seems consistent with its strong anti-tumor activity observed at multiple sites including the breast, the lungs, and the brain in a patient who had failed prior cancer treatments.
Cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy the patient’s tumors. The set of genes, or “gene signature”, identified by BriaCell, may be unique in promoting these strong anti-tumor immune responses. The patent application, in essence, seeks protection for cell line-derived vaccines expressing genes of the “gene signature” and methods of use for such vaccines.
“This patent application represents a significant milestone in our efforts to understand how BriaVax™ exerts its anti-tumor activity, and, more importantly, it contains information on what to look out for if we were to generate additional cancer vaccines”, said Dr. Lacher, BriaCell’s Head of R&D. “The discovery of the gene signature in BriaVax™ is a key step to developing BriaDx™, a companion diagnostic test for identifying the patients who are most likely to benefit from BriaVax™ treatments. By identifying and treating such patients, we intend to bring hope to many cancer patients with few or no therapeutic options.”
Presentation of data at AACR
BriaCell plans to present its findings on the aforementioned research, mechanism of action of its cancer vaccine BriaVax™, at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 18, 2016.
BriaCell is interested in partnership opportunities for its proprietary technology platform with other biotechnology /pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, BriaCell is exploring collaboration opportunities with investigators and clinical sites for potential combination treatment options for various cancer indications.
About BriaCell
BriaCell is an immuno-oncology biotechnology company which recently received FDA authorization to advance into a Phase I/IIa clinical trial for advanced breast cancer and possibly other cancer types.
The Company has demonstrated unique and possibly unprecedented results, and is intent on building upon these results to further advance BriaVax™ through FDA Clinical Trials in order to help cancer patients with no other options. The results of two FDA Phase I clinical trials, one conducted using BriaVax™, the other using a related vaccine, have been encouraging in terms of both safety and efficacy in patients with advanced breast cancer. Most uniquely, BriaCell has achieved these results in patients who had prior failed the available therapies including various kinds of chemotherapy. In some cases, the survival was three to five times longer than expected. The results were targeted, with little to no side effects, and were achieved rapidly, with regression occurring within 6 weeks.
In one patient, cancer regressed at all sites, including lesions in the breast, lung, and brain. Again, results were seen rapidly and with little to no adverse side effects.
About BriaVax™
BriaVax™ is a cancer vaccine generated from whole breast tumor cells that were genetically modified to secrete an immune-stimulating cytokine known as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Prior to injection into patients, BriaVax™ is irradiated to prevent further cell division. It is used in combination with other immune-system activators including interferon alpha and cyclophosphamide.
Reader Advisory
Statements in this press release may contain forward – looking information. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Forward – looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward – looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward – looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward – looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.
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