Business Wire - May 22, 2002
T cells are key components of the immune system that help fight cancer and infections. This technology complements the Company's Xcellerate Technology currently in clinical trials for cancer and infectious diseases. The newly licensed cell line was developed by one of Xcyte Therapies' scientific founders, Dr. Carl June, and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. In a recent issue of the scientific journal, Nature Biotechnology, Dr. June and his colleagues reported the creation of this proprietary cell line using genetic engineering to express key molecules required to activate and grow T cells.
Xcyte Therapies has developed a process to activate and grow T cells ex vivo, or outside the body. The Xcellerate Technology employs proprietary beads that deliver the key signals required to activate a patient's T cells, which can then be used to treat a wide range of diseases. The product, known as Xcellerated T Cells, is currently undergoing clinical testing in patients with cancer. Dr. June's invention will complement the Company's Xcellerate Technology platform, as the cell line enables the generation of large numbers of T cells directed against a specific target.
"We at Xcyte Therapies are committed to developing innovative cell-based therapeutic products to activate the immune system to fight disease," said Ronald J. Berenson, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Xcyte Therapies. "Dr. June's invention represents a valuable addition to our intellectual property portfolio. The proprietary cell line enhances our Xcellerate Technology by providing a powerful approach to generate T cells that are tailored to recognize and destroy specific targets including many kinds of cancers and infections. We believe that not only will this cell line be useful as a complement to the Xcellerate Technology ex vivo, but we may ultimately be able to use it in vivo, or inside the body, to stimulate immune responses."
Xcyte Therapies is a privately held Seattle-based biotechnology company, which is developing novel cell-based therapies that harness the power of the immune system to treat cancer and other serious illnesses. The human immune system is made up of many kinds of cells that are responsible for eliminating harmful invaders such as viruses or cancer from the body. One type of cell, the T cell, plays the central role in orchestrating most immune responses. T cells normally remain in a resting state until they become activated upon encountering viruses, bacteria, tumor cells or other harmful invaders that the activated T cells are then able to destroy. Patients with cancer and many infections have weakened immune systems with T cells that may not have the ability to become activated and eliminate dangerous invaders.
Xcyte Therapies recently completed a Phase I clinical trial in advanced kidney cancer. The data from this trial demonstrated that Xcellerated T Cells were safe and well tolerated. The Company also observed preliminary evidence of therapeutic effects. Similar preliminary indications of safety and therapeutic activity have been demonstrated in HIV and cancer in trials conducted by the Company's academic collaborators. The Company is currently conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in advanced prostate cancer. The Company also plans to use Xcellerated T Cells to treat patients with other diseases including multiple myeloma, leukemia and HIV.
NOTE: This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the performance of our potential products and the development of future potential products, which are based on the opinions and estimates of our management at the time the statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Inaccurate assumptions and known or unknown risks and uncertainties can affect the accuracy of these forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect our actual results include, but are not limited to, the timing and nature of the results of our clinical trials and the success of our research and development programs. You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, circumstances or events after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Xcyte(TM), Xcyte Therapies(TM), Xcellerate(TM) and Xcellerated T Cells(TM) are trademarks of Xcyte Therapies, Inc.
CONTACT: Xcyte Therapies, Inc., Ronald J. Berenson, MD, 206/262-6200
SOURCE: Xcyte Therapies, Inc.
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