Toronto, Ontario – December 3, 2014 Theralase Technologies Inc. (“Theralase”) (TLT:TSXV) (TLTFF: OTC Link®) announced today that Michael A. O’Donnell, MD, Professor of Urology, University of Iowa located in Iowa City, Iowa has agreed to join the Theralase Medical and Scientific Advisory Board (“MSAB”).
Dr. O’Donnell’s basic and clinical research has a long history of focusing on bladder immunology and bladder cancer immunotherapy, particularly the anti-cancer mechanisms of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (“BCG”) and its enhancement with combination therapies. Dr. O’Donnell recently headed a national trial of bladder cancer treatment utilizing BCG plus interferon (a natural protein which induces healthy cells to combat disease) comprised of over 1,000 patients and holds several U.S. patents for his work. While BCG has long been a standard treatment for bladder cancer, its toxicity profile can be devastating. Dr. O’Donnell’s studies, both laboratory and clinical, seek to both determine the exact mechanism by which BCG targets bladder cancer tumor cells, and enhance its efficacy, either alone or in combination with other agents, while reducing its toxicity to healthy cells. Dr. O’Donnell’s research efforts also include exploration of methods to detect bladder cancer at earlier stages, as well as new combination topical chemotherapy treatments for early bladder cancer. He has instituted two such methods, including a urinary FISH assay and the NMP-22 Bladder Check test in the Urology Clinic. He has pioneered several new sequential combination therapies involving adriamycin, gemcitabine, docetaxel and mitomycin for treating BCG-resistant/recurrent bladder cancers.
The University of Iowa is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1847, Iowa is the oldest university in the state and it is considered a Public Ivy. The university is organized into eleven colleges offering more than 100 areas of study and seven professional degrees.
Dr. Michael O’Donnell stated that, “I am delighted to have joined the Theralase MSAB. The Theralase MSAB team is comprised of top scientific and clinical minds in the world of bladder oncology and I look forward to working with my colleagues on such an exciting project. I had a chance to review Theralase’s preclinical Photo Dynamic Compound (“PDC”) research in the destruction of bladder cancer and am strongly encouraged that their technology possesses the scientific acumen to advance through clinical validation to commercialization. My main role with the team will be to provide clinical guidance, in conjunction with the other MSAB members, to finalize Theralase’s clinical protocol aimed at the destruction of bladder cancer. The commencement of a FDA Phase I / II a bladder cancer clinical trial in 2015 will be supported by the MSAB and we are all meeting December 3, 2014 in Bethesda, Maryland to finalize Theralase’s bladder cancer clinical protocol and investigator’s brochure.”
Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated that, “I am very pleased that Dr. O’Donnell has agreed to join Theralase’s MSAB. He provides a great deal of clinical knowledge and experience to our MSAB team. I join the entire MSAB team in welcoming Dr. O’Donnell on board and look forward to working with him as we advance on providing the clinical evidence proving the efficacy of our PDC technology in 2015.”
About Theralase Technologies Inc.
Founded in 1994, Theralase Technologies Inc. (“Theralase®”) (TSXV: TLT) (TLTFF: OTC Link®) designs, manufactures and markets patented super-pulsed laser technology used for the elimination of pain, reduction of inflammation and dramatic acceleration of tissue healing. Theralase has sold over 1,200 systems to licensed healthcare practitioners, including: medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists and athletic therapists. Theralase has been so successful in healing nerve, muscle and joint conditions in clinical practice that Theralase’s scientists and clinicians have now turned their attention to investigating the application of its lasers in the destruction of cancer, using specially designed molecules called Photo Dynamic Compounds (“PDCs”), which are able to localize to the DNA of cancer cells and when light activated, destroy the cancer cells.
Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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For More Information:
Roger Dumoulin-White
President & CEO, Theralase Technologies Inc.
1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273) ext. 225
416.699.LASE (5273) ext. 225