NW Bio Now in Phase III Clinical Trial for Brain Cancer in Both the U.S. and Europe
BETHESDA,
MD (Sharewellnewswire.com) September 12, 2012 -- Northwest
Biotherapeutics (OTC.BB: NWBO) (NW Bio) announced today that it has
received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom (the U.K.’s “FDA”), for the
Company’s 300- patient Phase III clinical trial of DCVax®-L immune
therapy for Glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer (GBM) to proceed in
the U.K.
This
Phase III clinical trial is already under way in the U.S., at 41 sites
across the country. NW Bio is now expanding this Phase III trial to
make it an international trial, by including clinical trial sites in
Europe. This international approach can potentially save years of time
in clinical trials, compared with conducting trials in the U.S. and
Europe separately.
NW
Bio’s submission of the Phase III trial application to the U.K.’s MHRA,
as well as the MHRA’s acceptance of the trial’s designation as a Phase
III trial and rapid approval of the trial, mark the culmination of two
years of preparatory work and foundation-building in the U.K.
NW
Bio has already obtained Ethics Committee approval for this trial on a
centralized basis from the National Research Ethics Committee in the
U.K. Such Ethics Committee approval is equivalent to Institutional
Review Board (IRB) approvals in the U.S. This centralized approval from
the National Research Ethics Committee applies throughout the U.K.,
eliminating the need to obtain Ethics Committee (IRB) approvals at each
clinical trial site (which typically takes months at each site in the
U.S.).
The
U.K. has one of the largest populations in Europe (63 million), nearly
equal to that of France (65 million), and exceeded only by Germany (82
million). Under the U.K.’s National Health System, medical centers
cover certain designated territories, and medical specialties tend to
be clustered – which enables heightened efficiencies in clinical trials
for diseases such as brain cancer.
“We
are excited and very grateful to the MHRA for its rapid approval,
allowing our GBM brain cancer trial to proceed as a Phase III trial in
the U.K. as an expansion of the ongoing Phase III trial in the U.S.”
commented Linda Powers, CEO of NW Bio. “There is an urgent medical need
for better treatment options for GBM, the most lethal form of brain
cancer. We appreciate the opportunity to efficiently include the U.K.
in our ongoing Phase III trial, so that we can bring the DCVax®-L
immune therapy to patients in the U.K. as well as the U.S.”
For further information about the Company and its programs, please visit the Company’s website atwww.nwbio.com.
About Northwest Biotherapeutics
Northwest
Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing
immunotherapy products to treat cancers more effectively than current
treatments, without toxicities of the kind associated with
chemotherapies, and on a cost-effective basis, in both the United
States and Europe. The Company has a broad platform technology for
DCVax® dendritic cell-based vaccines. The Company’s lead program is a
300-patient Phase III trial in newly diagnosed Glioblastoma multiforme
(GBM). GBM is the most aggressive and lethal brain cancer. The Company
also previously received clearance from the FDA for a 612-patient Phase
III trial in prostate cancer, and clearance from the FDA for Phase I/II
trials in multiple other cancers. The Company has also conducted a
Phase I/II trial with DCVax® for metastatic ovarian cancer.
Disclaimer
Statements
made in this news release that are not historical facts, including
statements concerning future treatment of patients with GBM using
DCVax® and future clinical trials, are forward- looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” "plan," "continue,"
"may," "will," "anticipate," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement.
Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, such as the
Company’s ability to raise additional capital, risks related to the
Company’s ability to enroll patients in its clinical trials and
complete the trials on a timely basis, the uncertainty of the clinical
trials process, uncertainties about the timely performance of third
parties, and whether the Company’s products will demonstrate safety and
efficacy. Additional information on these and other factors, including
Risk Factors, which could affect the Company’s results, is included in
its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. Finally, there
may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company’s
SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected in any forward-looking statement. You should not place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes
no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of
new information, future events or developments, except as required by
securities laws.
Contact Info:
Les Goldman , Jennifer Zimmons
202-841-7909
lgoldman@nwbio.com, jzimmons@cgc-us.com
212-209-7360
Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 800
Bethesda, MD 20814
Les Goldman , Jennifer Zimmons
202-841-7909
lgoldman@nwbio.com, jzimmons@cgc-us.com
212-209-7360
Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.
4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 800
Bethesda, MD 20814
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