Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Renowned Oncologist Dr. Michael Jewett Joins Theralase’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board


Toronto, Ontario –January 29, 2013 -- Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: TLT) is pleased to announce that effective January 15, 2013, Michael Jewett MD, FRCSC, FACS has elected to join its Medical and Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Michael Jewett is currently a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Urology at the University of Toronto, a member of the Department of Surgical Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and of the Division of Urology at the University Health Network. He is well known for his contributions in the fields of technology assessment and image guided therapy, especially for minimally invasive treatment of kidney and bladder cancer. He is internationally known for his contributions in the fields of bladder, testis and kidney cancer fundamental and clinical research. For his valued contributions to the uro-oncology field, in 2008, Dr. Jewett was awarded the Wyeth/CIHR Rx&D Clinical Research Chair in Oncology. He also holds the Farquaharson Chair for Kidney Cancer Research.

Dr. Jewett has been the Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator on over 60 Phase I-Phase III clinical trials and the Lead Principal Investigator of several Cooperative Group Trials. These clinical trials have primarily been focused on proving the safety, efficacy and clinical benefits of technology in the destruction of cancer, with the ultimate gain of achieving Health Canada or FDA clinical approval. 

He has recently served as Chairman of the Division of Urology at the University of Toronto and of Urology at the University Health Network, which incorporates the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world's leading cancer centres. He is a recent Past-President of the Canadian Urology Association and a member of many urological and surgical oncology societies; including the Scientific Advisory Board of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, the Medical Advisory and Research Board of Bladder Cancer Canada, and Chair of the CIHR funded Kidney Cancer Research Network of Canada. Dr. Jewett has been recognized for his lifetime achievements and contributions to Urology by the Canadian Urological Association, the American Urological Association, the Societe Internationale d’Urologie and the Society of Urologic Oncology.

Dr. Jewett stated, “I have been very impressed with the expertise of the Theralase team and with the significant opportunity their Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) present in the field of bladder cancer treatment. I look forward to working with them closely in their quest to commercialize their PDC technology to the ultimate benefit of bladder cancer patients, when the unmet need remains so great”.

Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO, Theralase Technologies Inc. stated that, “We are elated to have someone of Dr. Jewett’s calibre join Theralase’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board to lead our bladder cancer clinical research program. He has been actively engaged in clinical cancer research and will prove to be an invaluable resource for helping to design our clinical protocols, in conjunction with our research team, as we focus on our lead target, bladder cancer. With Dr. Jewett’s expert guidance, we are confident that we will be able to complete the steps necessary to commence FDA Phase 1 human clinical trials in 2013 with our lead Photo Dynamic Compound (PDC), where we will demonstrate that Theralase possesses a highly effective and safe alternative treatment option to patients, suffering from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Based on the clinical success of the PDC technology in FDA Phase 1 human clinical trials, Theralase is expected to be granted FDA “Fast Track” designation allowing an expedited priority review and approval process.”

According to the FDA, “Fast Track” is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious diseases and fill an unmet medical need. The purpose is to get important new drugs to the patient earlier.

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                    
416-694-7246 ext. 225                                  
rwhite@theralase.com

Kristina Hachey
Chief Financial Officer
416-694-7246 ext. 224
khachey@theralase.com 

Arkady Mandel
Chief Scientific Officer
416-694-7246 ext. 242
amandel@theralase.com

Greg Bewsh
Director of Investor Relations
416-694-7246 ext. 262
gbewsh@theralase.com   

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