New agreement to expand scope of research project to evaluate MCT-485 for primary liver cancer

Oct 2 2013

MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MCET.OB) is pleased to announce the signing of a new sponsored research agreement with Anand Ghanekar, M.D., Ph.D, of the University Health Network's Toronto General Hospital expanding the scope of the research project to evaluate MCT-485 in animal models for the treatment of primary liver cancer.  MCT-485 is a noncoding double stranded micro RNA (miRNA) which has demonstrated oncolytic and immune stimulating activity in in vitro models of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Under the terms of the new research agreement, Dr. Ghanekar will also evaluate a targeted nanoparticle version of MCT-485 for the treatment of liver cancer. The targeted nanoparticle version of MCT-485 is being developed in collaboration with Genisphere LLC, a DNA nanotechnology company. MultiCell is investigating the use of Genisphere's DNA nanoparticle drug delivery technology to enable the targeted delivery of MCT-485 to the tumor and away from normal tissues.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of primary liver cancer, and is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide with over 1 million cases reported annually.  Hepatocellular carcinoma remains an unmet medical need, and today's approaches for treatment are of limited efficacy. MCT-485, possessing both oncolytic and immune activating properties, could be superior to doxorubicin, cisplatin and other currently marketed therapies by providing a more robust activation of immunity, and a more global and longer lasting anti-tumor effect.