MultiCell Nominates MCT-465 as Lead Drug Candidate for Evaluation in H5N1 Avian Flu Model
Wednesday November 9, 8:30 am ET
LINCOLN, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2005--MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:MCET - News) announced that its subsidiary, MultiCell ImmunoTherapeutics, has elevated MCT-465 to lead drug candidate status and will commence evaluation of MCT-465 in preclinical animal models infected with the H5N1 strain of influenza A virus, known as the "bird flu" or "avian flu" virus. These preclinical studies will seek to build on the success that MCTI's toll receptor molecule and lead drug candidate MCT-465 demonstrated in animal models infected with the H1N1 strain of influenza A virus. In these preclinical studies, originally published in the October 2002 Journal of Clinical Investigation, MCT-465 reduced pulmonary virus titers by 1,000-fold in mouse models, resulting in barely detectable levels of the virus. The results suggest MCT-465 may also be able to reduce influenza A H5N1 viral load. The H5N1 strain of influenza A virus is genetically similar to the H1N1 strain of influenza A virus.
The proposed studies will be designed to determine the effectiveness of MCT-465 to induce immunity in mice infected by the H5N1 influenza A virus. "Based upon our results with influenza A H1N1 virus in mouse models, we believe MCT-465 holds the promise of demonstrating efficacy in H5N1 influenza A animal models," said Dr. Stephen Chang, President of MultiCell. The Company plans additional preclinical studies to further elucidate the underlying immunology, as well as evaluate the manufacturing requirements and toxicology profile of MCT-465 prior to beginning human clinical trials. MultiCell acquired MCT-465 as a result of its acquisition last month of substantially all of the assets of Astral, Inc.
About Avian Flu
Avian flu is currently spreading rapidly among birds and is transmitted to humans in close contact with infected birds. The virus has not yet mutated to spread from human to human but that is a possibility. Experts at WHO and elsewhere believe that the world is now closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since 1968, when the last of the previous century's three pandemics occurred. WHO uses a series of six phases of pandemic alert as a system to inform the world of the seriousness of the threat and the need to launch progressively more intense preparedness activities. The world is presently in phase 3: a new influenza virus subtype is causing disease in humans, but is not yet spreading efficiently and sustainably among humans.
About MultiCell Technologies, Inc.
MultiCell Technologies, Inc. is a developer of therapeutic products and a supplier of immortalized human cell lines for drug discovery applications. With its majority-owned subsidiary, MultiCell ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc., MultiCell intends to commercialize new therapeutics for the treatment of degenerative neurological diseases, metabolic and endocrinological disorders, and infectious diseases. MultiCell's research labs are in Lincoln, RI. MultiCell ImmunoTherapeutics' is located in San Diego, CA.
For more information about MultiCell see multicelltech.com.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about MultiCell's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," and "would." MultiCell bases these forward-looking statements on current expectations about future events. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections in the forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, the risk that the market for our products will not grow as expected, and the risk that our products will not achieve expectations. For additional information about risks and uncertainties we face, see documents we file with the SEC, including our Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2004 and all our quarterly and other periodic SEC filings. MultiCell claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements under the Act and assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent events.
Contact:
MultiCell Technologies, Inc.
Jerry Newmin, 401-333-0610
or
CEOcast, Inc.
Ed Lewis, 212-732-4300
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Source: MultiCell Technologies, Inc. |
