MicroIslet Poster Presentations Accepted at Levine Diabetes Symposium
09 November 2006 - 12:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Presentations highlight the Company's plan to address
immuno-response and islet supply limitations of the Edmonton
Protocol SAN DIEGO, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MicroIslet,
Inc. (AMEX:MII), a biotechnology company engaged in the research,
development and commercialization of patented technologies in
transplantation therapy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes,
today announced that two poster presentations have been accepted by
the seventh annual Rachmiel Levine Diabetes Symposium,
"Characterization of Encapsulated Porcine Islets and Long-Term
Function in Diabetic Non-Human Primates without Prolonged
Immunosuppression" and "Islet Transplantation Dosing Based on
Viable Beta Cell Analysis." This year's Symposium, titled "Advances
in Diabetes Research: From Cell Biology to Cell Therapy," will be
held November 8 to 11, 2006, at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel, Long
Beach, California. "The Levine Symposium offers MicroIslet a timely
opportunity to highlight what differentiates our treatment approach
from the Edmonton Protocol," commented James R. Gavin III, M.D.,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MicroIslet. "A
recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine
reported on the insulin independence one year after treatment of 36
patients who received human islet transplants using the Edmonton
Protocol. The study was a limited success -- 44% of the patients
were insulin independent after one year, and another 28%
experienced partial improvement in glycemic control. The study
suggests however that retransplantation would be necessary to
achieve long-term insulin independence in a substantial percentage
of cases." Dr. Gavin continued, "The Edmonton Protocol broke very
important ground in 2000. But it had been known for a long time to
have significant limitations, including the requirement for
immuno-protection for the transplanted tissues and inherently
limited islet supply, a particular problem if retransplantation is
necessary for long-term success. We believe that MicroIslet has
made significant progress toward addressing these limitations. In
the Edmonton Protocol, human insulin-producing islets are
transplanted into diabetic patients and are protected against
immune rejection by means of immunosuppressive drug regimens. Our
proprietary treatment approach microencapsulates islets to reduce
or eliminate the need for chronic immunosuppression. We are also
the only entity we are aware of that has access to a robust supply
of clinically-approved, insulin-producing islets, through our
exclusive porcine islet supply agreement with the Mayo Foundation,
which makes any necessary retransplantation a much less significant
concern." Dr. Gavin concluded, "MicroIslet would not be where it is
today without the advancement represented by the Edmonton Protocol,
and we are honored that its investigators James Shapiro, M.D. and
Jonathan Lakey, Ph.D. are members of our Scientific Advisory Board.
We are seeking to build upon the Edmonton Protocol to address its
limitations and develop a well-tolerated, minimally invasive, more
quantitatively-dosed and widely available treatment for insulin
dependent diabetes." About the Levine Symposium The Rachmiel Levine
Diabetes Symposium is designed to provide a comprehensive and
up-to-date presentation on the latest advances in type 1 diabetes
research and islet transplantation and to stimulate further
research in this area. The program will offer four days of lectures
by regional, national and international leaders in the field,
including oral presentations and a poster session. About MicroIslet
MicroIslet is a biotechnology company engaged in the research,
development, and commercialization of patented technologies in the
field of transplantation therapy for people with insulin-dependent
diabetes. MicroIslet's patented islet transplantation technology,
exclusively licensed from Duke University, includes methods for
isolating, culturing, cryopreservation, and immuno-protection
(microencapsulation) of islet cells. MicroIslet is working to
develop and commercialize a first product, called MicroIslet-P(TM),
a microencapsulated porcine islet cell suspension that will be used
for transplantation in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes.
Additional information about MicroIslet can be found at
http://www.microislet.com/. Except for the historical information
contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release,
including the implication and interpretation of preliminary data,
the expectation of development of new therapeutic products and the
impact of MicroIslet's products on diabetes patients, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially,
including MicroIslet's ability to continue as a going concern, the
risks and uncertainties inherent in medical treatment discovery,
development and commercialization, the risks and uncertainties
associated with MicroIslet's early stage xenotransplantation
technologies, the risks and uncertainties of governmental approvals
and regulation, dependence on the Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research as a sole source supplier of animal parts
for pre-clinical and clinical studies, MicroIslet's need to raise
substantial additional capital to proceed through human clinical
trials and bring any product to market, the risks that MicroIslet's
competitors will develop or market technologies or products that
are more effective or commercially attractive than MicroIslet's
products, and other risks detailed from time to time in
MicroIslet's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date hereof. MicroIslet disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements. For more information,
please visit our Web site at http://www.microislet.com/. For
further information, contact: Kevin A. Hainley, MicroIslet Inc.
858-657-0287, Sean Collins, Senior Partner CCG Investor Relations
& Strategic Communications 310-231-8600 ext. 202 ISIN
US59507Q1067 DATASOURCE: MicroIslet, Inc. CONTACT: Kevin A. Hainley
of MicroIslet Inc., +1-858-657-0287, ; or Sean Collins, Senior
Partner of CCG Investor Relations & Strategic Communications,
+1-310-231-8600, ext. 202, for MicroIslet, Inc. Web site:
http://www.microislet.com/
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