Full Press Release Details
Orgenesis Receives Patent for Potential Cure for
GERMANTOWN, MD Oct. 14, 2014 Orgenesis Inc. (OTCQB:
ORGS), a leader in the emerging fields of cellular therapy and regenerative
medicine, today announced that it has received a patent for the technology
supporting its unique cell-based therapy , which is being developed as a
potential cure for Type 1 Diabetes . The U.S. patent No. 8,778,899, was granted
for Methods of Inducing Regulated Pancreatic Hormone Production in
Non-pancreatic Islet Tissues and recognizes the pioneering work done by Dr.
Sarah Ferber and the research team at Orgenesis who have used the technology to
successfully reprogram human liver cells into glucose-responsive, fully
functional Insulin Producing Cells (IPCs).
While our newly issued patent is very broad, and covers the
use of any adult cell type that might be used to generate Insulin Producing
Cells (IPCs), we have chosen to use liver cells because of how very closely they
are physiologically related to pancreatic cells, said Scott Carmer, CEO of
Orgenesis North America. Both the liver and pancreas derive from the same
embryonic lineage (endoderm); both share a common progenitor; both share many
genetic transcription factors; and importantly, both have a built-in glucose
sensing system. It is the genetic and physiologic similarities between liver and
pancreas cells that have promise to overcome the issues now being seen that
relate to using other cell sources, such as stem cells.
Orgenesis is a pioneer in the field of cellular
trans-differentiation, a technology that has potential to regenerate
glucose-responsive insulin production and restore glycemic homeostasis for
patients suffering from various insulin-dependent disorders. By transforming a
patient s own liver cells into new insulin-producing cells, Orgenesis hopes to
develop a breakthrough therapy for people living with Type 1 Diabetes. The new
patent further showcases how innovative the Orgenesis methods are and will
provide protection for this intellectual property that may have curative
potential for insulin-dependent disorders such as Type 1 Diabetes.
The science behind this patent marks new hope for the millions
of people around the world who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes, Carmer said. We
are confident in our science and technology, which has been validated in
numerous preclinical models of insulin-dependent diabetes. This patent not only
protects the fiscal investment of our work, but it authenticates our purpose.
Orgenesis seeks to cure diabetes; developments such as this patent will only
continue to help pave the way towards that end.
About Orgenesis, Inc.
Orgenesis is a development
stage company that is committed to curing Type 1 Diabetes. In pursuit of this
goal, the company is developing a novel technology that combines cellular
therapy and regenerative medicine. Through a proprietary biologic process called
'cellular trans-differentiation,' Orgenesis has proven that, when exposed ex
vivo to certain pancreatic transcription factors and in specific sequence, human
adult liver cells can be transformed into fully functional, beta cell-like
insulin producing cells (IPCs). After ex vivo expansion, the IPCs are reinfused
via the portal vein. In pre-clinical models of Type 1 Diabetes (Non-Obese
Diabetic mice), the re-introduced IPCs remain in the liver, effectively respond
to glucose challenge and successfully maintain glycemic homeostasis. In the same
NOD model, the implanted IPCs were not subject to auto-immune attack or cellular
ablation. Orgenesis plans to initiate P1/2 trials in the next 12-16 months. For
more information visit: www.orgenesis.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely
historical. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the
expectations of management that our regeneration technology can be developed as
therapeutic treatment for diabetes which could become a cure for diabetes; and
that our patent will protect our intellectual property. No assurance can be
given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will
occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Orgenesis will obtain from them.
Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking
statements due to numerous factors, including, among others, the potential
failure of development candidates to advance through preclinical studies or
demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical testing; the ability to pass
clinical trials so as to move on to the next phase; our ability to retain key
employees; our ability to finance development and operations; our ability to
satisfy the rigorous regulatory requirements for new medical procedures; and
competitors may develop better or cheaper alternatives to our products. These
forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we
assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the
reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. Investors should refer to the risk factors
disclosure outlined in our periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.