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news.PharmaCyte Biotech, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted treatments for cancer and diabetes using its signature live cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box(R), reported that the first preclinical evaluation of its proprietary Melligen cell line for the treatment of diabetes has commenced in the Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria.
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This study is the first of a number of preclinical studies that will be performed. These studies are designed to test the safety, efficacy and dosing of Melligen cells, a human cell line engineered to produce and store insulin and secrete it at levels in proportion to the levels of glucose (blood sugar) in the human body.
The insulin-producing Melligen cell line that will be encapsulated using the Cell-in-a-Box(R) technology was developed by PharmaCyte Biotech’s international Diabetes Consortium partner, Prof. Ann M. Simpson, at the University of Technology Sydney.
The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna group and Austrianova are also members of PharmaCyte Biotech’s international Diabetes Consortium. Austrianova has previously encapsulated Melligen cells and has successfully performed preliminary in vitro analyses of them.
Kenneth L. Waggoner, Chief Executive Officer of PharmaCyte Biotech, said, "We are pleased that our first preclinical study on the use of the Melligen cell line has begun so rapidly after the establishment of our international Diabetes Consortium.
"This group brings together key world-renowned scientists and physicians in a number of areas that are crucial for the development of PharmaCyte Biotech’s novel Cell-in-a-Box(R)-based treatment for diabetes."