ProtoKinetix
(OTC: PKTX) (www.protokinetix.com)
is pleased to be able to report a comprehensive transplantation testing
program being conducted for the last two years in conjunction with the
University of Alberta transplant research team. The Company is
collaborating with the James Shapiro Laboratory at the University of
Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. Dr. Shapiro directs the largest clinical
islet transplantation program in the world.
Dr. Shapiro is a professor of surgery, medicine and surgical oncology.
He is director of the Clinical Islet Transplant Program and the Living
Donor Liver Transplant Programs at the University of Alberta. He is also
principal investigator of National Institute of Health and the Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation clinical trials. In addition to these
positions, he is the leader of the Project 1 - Ex-vivo Organ Transplant
Protection and Repair Program of the Canadian National Transplant
Research Program.
During the last 24-months, Dr. Shapiro’s Ph.D. student, Dr Boris
Gala-Lopez, and his team have conducted extensive testing with our AAGP™
molecule using human islet cells in transplantation, investigating its
effect on engraftment, insulin production, protective effect against
anti-rejection drugs and investigation of the mechanism of action. The
results provided consistent encouragement to continue testing to develop
protocols that can be applied to transplantation medicine.
Allogeneic transplantation is the transplanting of cells, tissues or
organs from the same species, but not with the host DNA. Serious issues
that have to be addressed are the engraftment of the transplanted organ
or cells and the subsequent protection against the immune response. The
protection, in the form of anti-rejection drugs, is toxic and causes
damage to the graft. AAGP™ has been shown in these trials to increase
engraftment and reduce the toxicity damage.
Dr. Shapiro says “We are all very encouraged by the early results of
these studies, and I look forward to working with the Company in moving
toward use of AAGP™ in future clinical applications”.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROTOKINETIX, INCORPORATED
Clarence E. Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains
certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable
securities law, including statements regarding the potential treatments
for which the Company's AAGPTM may be applied.
Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as
“plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”,
“estimate” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or
conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking statements are based
on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements
are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The
Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information
if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change
except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. More detailed information about
potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the
documents filed by the Company from time to time with the United States
Securities Commission and with securities regulatory authorities in
Canadian on SEDAR.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe
harbor” for forward-looking statements. Some information included in
this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Such
forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties
that could affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly,
these results may differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. For a
description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the
Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Copyright Business Wire 2015