MELBOURNE, Australia, March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Propanc Health Group Corporation (OTCQB: PPCH) ("Propanc" or "the Company"), an emerging healthcare company focusing on development of new and proprietary treatments for cancer patients suffering from solid tumors such as pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers, today announced results from recent studies for its lead product, PRP, confirming a synergistic response to a broad range of cancer indications, which also includes kidney, melanoma, brain, prostate, liver, uterine and lung cancers. The data provides compelling evidence that PRP has potential to fight a broad range of cancer types, some with high unmet medical needs, which the Company will look towards investigating through clinical trials.
Moreover, data from the recent cell line studies tested at the R&D facility of its contract research partner, vivoPharm LLC, in Hershey, PA, showed a synergistic response between the two active components, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen, further strengthening its lead patent claims in key jurisdictions such as North America and Europe.
Last month, the UK Times reported up until recently, the trend with cancer treatment was towards ever-costlier drugs aimed at ever-narrower niches on the cancer spectrum. But recent advancements in immunotherapy and cancer genome sequencing have presented a new hope where fewer drugs can be used to help the body fight a broad range of cancers. PRP, as a naturally derived proenzyme formulation, which seeks to halt cancer progression and spreading by eradicating cancer stem cells whilst leaving normal stem cells unaffected, has similar breakthrough potential and potentially will become a welcome addition to the treatment process. Furthermore, the availability of the naturally derived ingredients for commercial use provides a significant cost advantage compared to other treatments.
"I have no doubt PRP represents a new therapeutic drug class with significant potential across a broad range of cancers," said Dr Julian Kenyon, Propanc's Chief Scientific Officer, "Confirming the significant synergistic response to the majority of solid tumors tested which further strengthens our patent claims is very important. This agrees with my previous experience with proenzyme treatment in the clinic, where I observed a number of terminally ill patients suffering from a broad range of cancers survive significantly longer than anticipated, free from any severe, or even serious side effects. I look forward to progressing PRP to additional human studies as soon as possible."
In further news, the Company has confirmed a scientific advice meeting with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), UK, towards the end of April. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Company's ongoing development activities for PRP, including preparation and structure of animal safety/toxicology studies and its proposed early stage patient trials, together with supporting activities.
It is anticipated the Company will submit a clinical trial application (CTA) in the UK later this year, initially targeting patients with advanced solid tumors in Phase I, followed by pancreatic and ovarian cancer indications in Phase II trials. Importantly, both these lead indications selected by the Company qualify for orphan drug designation, which the Company intends to prepare and apply for after its meeting with the MHRA.
"We're making significant progress with PRP development and will continue to advance towards patients trials at the earliest opportunity," said James Nathanielsz, Propanc's Chief Executive Officer. "Meeting with the MHRA represents a significant milestone for the Company and will confirm our future plans. Together with the enhancement of our intellectual property portfolio and plans to seek orphan drug designation, we're at the right time to initiate discussions with potential licensing partners looking to add a new therapeutic drug class to their portfolio. Whilst we intend to hold these discussions soon, I'm pleased to confirm that we're sufficiently capitalized to progress towards patient trials and have every intention of funding the early stage clinical development of PRP."
Propanc aims to fast track the development of proenzyme related oncology products into clinical trials initially for pancreatic and ovarian cancers, followed by colorectal cancer. According to Global Analyst Reports, the combined world market for pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers are expected to reach over $12 billion by 2020.
About Propanc:
Propanc is currently focused on developing new cancer treatments for patients suffering from pancreatic and colorectal cancers. We have developed a formulation of anti-cancer compounds which exert a number of effects designed to control or prevent tumors from recurring and spreading throughout the body. Our products involve or employ proenzymes, which are inactive precursors of enzymes.
In the near term, we intend to target patients with limited remaining therapeutic options for the treatment of solid tumors such as colorectal or pancreatic tumors. In future, we intend to develop our lead product to treat (i) early stage cancer and (ii) pre-cancerous diseases and (iii) as a preventative measure for patients at risk of developing cancer based on genetic screening. For more information, visit: www.propanc.com.
Forward-looking Statements:
Certain of the matters discussed in this announcement involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's ability to establish and maintain the proprietary nature of its technology through the patent process, its ability to license from others patents and patent applications, if necessary, to develop certain products, its ability to implement its long range business plan for various applications of its technology, and its ability to enter into agreements with any necessary marketing and/or distribution partners for purposes of commercialization. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell securities and does not purport to be an analysis of the company's financial position. See Propanc's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and related 8K filings.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160112/321703LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/propanc-confirms-prp-response-to-broad-range-of-cancer-indications-sets-date-for-scientific-advice-meeting-with-uk-regulators-300229305.html
SOURCE Propanc Health Group Corporation