Press

2013

Click here to read the full press release in BioSpectrum Asia, Singapore, March 21st, 2013: “Austrianova starts cell bank for cancer therapy”.

The research cell bank, established in partnership with ViruSure, will be used to set up production of encapsulated cells for additional clinical trials. The research cell bank was established in partnership with ViruSure, a leading contract research organization based in Vienna, Austria. The cells, which have an augmented capacity to activate chemotherapeutic agents, are derived from the same cells as those that were encapsulated and used in two previous promising mid-phase clinical trials for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. The data from these previous studies have been recently highlighted in a review of promising cancer therapies by leading international scientists from the International Society for Cell and Gene that has just been published in Cancer Gene Therapy. The research cell bank will now be used to set up production of encapsulated cells for additional clinical trials…[click here to read more]

2012

Click here to read the invited article in BioSpectrum Asia, Singapore, October 15th, 2012. “Austrianova’s trial data proves efficacy”.

Singapore: Singapore-based Austrianova presented additional safety and efficacy data from a second phase II pancreatic cancer clinical trial at the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCGT) meeting held in Singapore on October 5 and 6. The trial data presented by Dr John Dangerfield, COO, Austrianova, reported phase II safety and efficacy data that confirmed and extended the data obtained from a previous phase I/II trial… [click here to read more]

Click here for Austrianova Singapore invited article in BioSpectrum Asia, Singapore, August 9, 2012. ‘Suicide genes’ is the next step to cure cancer

Singapore: An article providing an overview of Austrianova Singapore’s development of encapsulated cell treatments for cancer, has just been published in BioSpectrum Asia, the leading biotechnology industry magazine in Asia. The invited article entitled “‘Suicide genes’ is the next step to cure cancer” highlights the clinical success in the treatment of solid tumours in the company’s clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic and breast cancer as well as preclinical data for tumours such as hepatocellular (liver) cancer, ovarian cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, colon cancer metastases and even possibly brain tumours such as glioma/glioblastoma. The publication also covers how this ongoing research offers the possibility of “personalized” therapies as well combination therapies to potentially increase successes in treating cancer patients. Finally, the article points out that encapsulated cells can also be used to attack tumours by placing them in the body and allowing continuous production of tumour toxic, targeted antibodies, such as Herceptin® or anti-tumour agents such as tumour necrosis factor or anti-angiogenic factors.

Click here for Press release in BioSpectrum Asia, Singapore, July 19, 2012. Austrianova has created an animal model that mimics human pancreatic cancer.

Singapore: Austrianova Singapore has created a mouse model that mimics human pancreatic cancer. This research has been published in the peer-reviewed online, open access journal PLoS One. The paper describes mouse models derived from human pancreatic tumors in which tumor cells were implanted in the pancreas, unlike the usual subcutaneous models. These new models are designed for advancing and fine tuning the Cell-in-a-Box pancreatic cancer encapsulated live-cell treatments that has already been successfully used in humans and is being prepared for late stage pancreatic cancer clinical trials by Austrianova Singapore together with Nuvilex.
Dr Walter Gunzburg, chairman for Austrianova Singapore, commented, “The pancreatic cancer mouse models were created with our partners at the University of Veterinary Medicine, in Vienna, Austria, and are important clinically since they mimic human pancreatic cancer. Most cancers, including pancreatic, involve changes in only one organ, location and cell type. The most important aspect of this model system is the location of the tumour solely to the pancreas, which differs from most other model systems”.
Austrianova Singapore’s Chief Executive Dr Brian Salmons stated, “We are excited by these new models since they should provide greater insight into how the therapy works and also allow potential improvements as we continue to advance the ongoing human pancreatic cancer clinical trials being planned with Nuvilex. From what we have learned to date, these models are more relevant for the human disease and should thus aid in the development and robust in vivo testing of new treatments.”

Also published in Research Asia, Singapore, July 18, 2012. Austrianova has created an animal model that mimics human pancreatic cancer.

Press release in BioSpectrum Asia, Singapore, April 11, 2012. SG Austria acquires world-wide rights for in vivo production method for antibodies:

“Singapore based biotech company SG Austria, the leading living cell encapsulation company, has acquired all rights to a patent family claiming the secretion of antibodies and antibody-like molecules from encapsulated cells. The technology allows continuous, steady state, secretion of therapeutic antibodies from the implanted cells, thereby avoiding the typical peaks and troughs associated with more conventional antibody delivery systems and immunization schemes. The inventors demonstrated safe, long term antibody production after a single implantation of the beads in mouse models as well as the use of the technology in a therapeutic setting to protect against a lethal virus disease. In principle, the technology can be used to treat any virus induced disease for which neutralising antibodies can be generated such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), West Nile virus, the SARS causing coronavirus and new variants of influenza virus. In addition, the technology can be used to improve current monoclonal antibody therapies for cancer treatment such as Herceptin, Rituxan, Avastin, Erbitux and Mylotarg.”

2011

Interview with Dr Brian Salmons (CEO) and Dr John Dangerfield (COO) for the article ‘Cover Story: Singapore’ published in the leading Korean economy magazine “G.Economy21″, 2011, Vol. 117, Dec. 12th.

Interview with Dr Brian Salmons, CEO, for the article ‘Stem cells will bring a paradigm shift in disease treatment’ published in BioSpectrum Asia Edition, May 27th

Interview with Dr Lilli Brandtner, Chief Scientist, in an article, ‘World Travel, Day 39′, in the Austrian daily, Kurier, January.

2010

Comments from Professor Walter H. Günzburg, Chairman, in an article on ‘Singapore: the glittering authoritarian metropolis’ in the Austrian daily, Die Presse; 6 November.

Interview with Professor Walter H. Günzburg, Chairman and Dr. Brian Salmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, in Genewired, the cutting-edge biotechnology, medical and life sciences portal for scientists, researchers, pharmaceuticals; 5 August.