Toronto,
Ontario –November 12, 2012 -- Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: TLT) Photo
Dynamic Therapy (PDT) Division, announced today study results proving that its patented
Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) were significantly
more effective in destroying a human urinary bladder carcinoma cell
line than a FDA
approved photosensitizer, aminolevulinic acid (ALA).
Dr. Arkady
Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer of Theralase stated, “Commercialization of any
new anti-cancer medicine depends upon the safe and effective destruction of all
cancerous tumours, while upholding the patient’s quality of life. We are
excited that our leading compound effectively destroyed a human urinary bladder
carcinoma cell line (HT-1376) when activated by our proprietary light system. To
validate our initial success, we evaluated the efficacy of the Theralase PDC in
comparison with aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The results indicated that the
Theralase PDC was effectively destroying bladder cancer cells at much lower
concentrations than ALA (1/1000th of the dose).”
Dr. Lothar
Lilge, Professor and Senior Scientist, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess
Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network stated, “In my lab, the Theralase PDCs have shown remarkable efficacy and
robustness in the destruction of various cancer cell lines, such as: colon,
brain, breast and now bladder cancer. This research potentially offers a new opportunity
for individualized cancer therapy across various invasive tumours.”
Roger
Dumoulin-White, President and CEO, Theralase Inc. stated, “Based upon our
recent success, we have now reconfirmed that bladder cancer is our lead cancer
target for our lead PDC compound. Our research confirms what we had already suspected;
our PDC technology is lethal to human urinary bladder carcinoma cells. Given that
our technology can deliver effective results at significantly lower doses than ALA,
this would suggest a superior safety and cost effectiveness for our lead
compound, as compared to ALA. We are confident that as we complete our
preclinical research and prepare for human trials in 2013, we will demonstrate
to the medical community that we possess a highly effective, safe and efficient
alternative treatment option to current bladder cancer patients.”
Bladder
cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the North America; the fourth most
common among men and eighth most common in women. In the United States 73,000
new bladder cancer cases and 15,000 deaths are reported annually. With a
recurrence rate of nearly 80%, bladder cancer is the most expensive cancer to
treat on a per patient basis. The high recurrence rate severely affects the
quality of life of patients and also the total cost of treatment, which in the
United States exceeds $2.9 billion in
direct treatment related costs
annually.
In other related
news, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715), with a market value of $USD 13.3 billion, announced on
November 8, 2012, that it signed
a definitive agreement to acquire Dusa Pharaceuticals Inc. (DUSA) for $8 per
share for a total cash consideration of $USD 230 million. DUSA is a dermatology company focused on developing and marketing its FDA
approved Levulan photodynamic therapy platform (active ingredient of Levulan is ALA), for
actinic keratosis of the face or scalp (dry, scaly patches on the skin that can
lead to skin cancer). http://www.sunpharma.com/news/press/20121108%20Sun%20Pharma%20to%20Acquire%20DUSA%20.pdf
About Theralase Technologies Inc.:
Theralase
Technologies Inc., founded in 1995, designs, develops, manufactures and markets
patented, superpulsed laser technology utilized in biostimulation and
biodestruction applications. Theralase technology is safe and effective in
treating pain, inflammation and for tissue regeneration of neural muscular
skeletal conditions and wound healing. Theralase is currently developing
patented Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) that are able to target and destroy
cancers, bacteria and viruses when light activated by Theralase’s proprietary
and patented laser technology.
For further information please visit www.theralase.com , regulatory filings may
be viewed by visiting 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.
Neither TSX Venture
Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this release.
For More
Information
Roger
Dumoulin-White
President
& CEO
416-447-8455
ext. 225
rwhite@theralase.com
Kristina
Hachey
Chief
Financial Officer
416-447-8455
ext. 224
khachey@theralase.com
Arkady
Mandel
Chief
Scientific Officer
416-447-8455
ext. 242
amandel@theralase.com
Greg Bewsh
Director of
Investor Relations
416-447-8455
ext. 262
gbewsh@theralase.com
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