Last checked at 20 Aug 2012 16:01
20 August 2012
Scancell Holdings Plc
('Scancell')
Market Update
The Board of Scancell (AIM:SCLP) have noted the continuous raise in its share price over the last 10 days and in particular following the announcement on 15 August 2012 relating to the Moditope vaccine technology platform.
The Board is actively evaluating its strategic options for the Moditope platform and will be consulting with key shareholders in this regard. As regards SCIB1, the cancer vaccine being developed for the treatment of melanoma and the Company's DNA ImmunoBody(R) vaccine technology upon which it is based, the Board reiterates that its strategy will be to seek a buyer on completion of the Phase I/II clinical trial, which is expected in late 2013.
The Board will update the market in due course.
-ENDS-
For Further Information:
Dr Richard Goodfellow, Joint CEO Professor Lindy Durrant, Joint CEO | Scancell Holdings Plc Scancell Holdings Plc | + 44 207 653 9850 + 44 207 653 9850 |
Graham Herring/Heather Armstrong | Newgate Threadneedle | + 44 207 653 9850 |
Ross Andrews / Andrew Jones | Zeus Capital | + 44 161 831 1512 |
Jon Belliss/Karen Kelly | Xcap Securities Plc | + 44 207 101 7070 |
About Scancell
Scancell is developing novel therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases based on its groundbreaking ImmunoBody® and Moditope™ technology platforms. Scancell's first cancer vaccine SCIB1 is being developed for the treatment of melanoma and is in Phase 2 clinical trials.
Treating cancer by vaccination allows small non-toxic doses of a vaccine to be administered to a patient, stimulating an immune response. Effective cancer vaccines need to target dendritic cells to stimulate both parts of the cellular immune system; the helper cell system where inflammation is stimulated at the tumour site; and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte or CTL response where immune system cells are primed to recognise and kill specific cells.
A limitation of many cancer vaccines currently in development is that they cannot specifically target dendritic cells in vivo. Several groups have demonstrated successful vaccination by growing dendritic cells ex vivo, pulsing them with tumour antigens and re-infusing them. However, this procedure is patient specific, time consuming and expensive. Scancell has developed its breakthrough patent protected ImmunoBody® technology to overcome these limitations.
An ImmunoBody® is a human antibody or fusion protein engineered to express helper cell and CTL epitopes from tumour antigens over-expressed by cancer cells. Antibodies are ideal vectors for carrying T cell epitopes from tumour antigens as they have long half-lives and can effectively target dendritic cells via their Fc receptors, allowing efficient stimulation of both helper and CTL responses.
The Immunobody® technology can be adapted to provide the basis for treating any tumour type and may also be of potential utility in the development of vaccines against hepatitis, HIV and other chronic infectious diseases.
Scancell has also identified and patented a series of modified epitopes that stimulate the production of killer CD4 that destroy tumours without toxicity. The Directors believe that the Moditope™ platform could have a profound effect on the way that cancer vaccines are developed.