Toronto, Ontario – December 2, 2014 Theralase Technologies Inc. (“Theralase”) (TLT:TSXV) (TLTFF: OTC Link®) announced today that Ashish M. Kamat, MD, MBBS, FACS, has agreed to join the Theralase Medical and Scientific Advisory Board (“MSAB”).
Dr Kamat is an internationally recognized expert in urologic oncology and an authority in the management of urologic cancers. His expertise is with an emphasis on bladder cancer, organ sparing and minimally invasive techniques. Dr Kamat maintains an active research portfolio in this area with a focus on efforts to develop novel therapies, and identifying predictors of response to therapy (e.g. intravesical immunotherapy), as a first step towards personalized cancer therapeutics. He has initiated, led, and been active in several large studies including multinational trials in bladder cancer; these findings have been published in high impact journals. He is recognized internationally for his efforts and has been invited as a visiting professor to several universities across the world and to serve on the board of directors of professional societies including patient advocacy groups.
Dr Kamat is an accomplished researcher and has authored over 180 publications and editorials in prestigious journals as well as book chapters. He serves on the editorial board of Expert Reviews in Anticancer, F1000 Reviews and Urologic Oncology. Dr Kamat is listed in Who’s Who in Medicine and Best Doctors in America and has won the Compassionate Doctor Award from patient groups.
Although Dr Kamat is joining the Theralase MSAB as an independent consultant, it is noteworthy that he holds the Rank of Professor and Fellowship Program Director in the Department of Urology, Division of Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center located in Houston, Texas.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It is located in central Houston in the Texas Medical Center with over 19,000 employees. MD Anderson, created in 1941, is one of the nation’s original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Act of 1971 and is one of 68 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers today.
U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” survey has ranked MD Anderson as one of the nation’s top two cancer centers every year since the survey began in 1990.
Dr. Ashish Kamat stated that, “It is my pleasure to join the Theralase MSAB, which is an excellent team of top scientific and clinical minds in the world of oncology; with a dedication to the field of bladder cancer. Theralase’s preclinical Photo Dynamic Compound (“PDC”) technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of various tumors, especially bladder cancer and moreover their technology has the scientific rigour to advance to commercialization. My role will be to provide the clinical expertise and to work with my fellow MSAB members to develop a clinical protocol for Theralase’s trials in the treatment of bladder cancer. To this end, Theralase will be looking to open a FDA regulated Phase I / II a clinical trial in 2015.”
Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated that, “I am delighted that someone of Dr. Kamat’s stature and reputation has agreed to join Theralase’s MSAB. His work in this field and his experience and knowledge in all things related to bladder cancer, especially his expertise in the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (“BCG”) related field will only help to strengthen an already excellent team. His expertise encompasses “BCG failure” disease, which plagues a large percentage of the bladder cancer patients worldwide and to which Theralase’s intervention is aimed at. Dr. Kamat’s addition to the MSAB reinforces the degree of interest that our PDC technology has generated in the international oncology world. I join the MSAB team in welcoming Dr. Kamat on board and look forward to working with him as we advance on proving our PDC technology clinically 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