Publication: Go Dubai
Publication date: 28/1/2008
Country: On Line

Unique Immune Boosting Drug to Provide Hope to GCC Cancer Patients

Innovative Biotech Program Will Allow Faster Access to New Cancer Drug

Dubai 27th of January, 2008: Scientists at CEL-SCI CORPORATION (American Stock Exchange: CVM), a pioneering US cancer immunotherapy company, are developing a revolutionary new treatment for cancer patients which fights cancer by stimulating the body's own immune defenses.

CEL-SCI is in the GCC to establish an innovative drug access program (the Named Patient Program} with the GCC's leading health care providers. The program will allow GCC patients the opportunity to benefit from this new cancer drug several years sooner than they normally would

Multikine is the first of a new class of cancer immunotherapy drugs called Immune SlMULATORs. It simulates the activities of a healthy person's immune system, which battles cancer every day. Multikine is the only cancer immunotherapy that both kills cancer cells in a targeted fashion and activates the general immune system to destroy the cancer. The drug is a different kind of weapon in the fight against cancer, one that unleashes and empowers the body's anti-tumor immune response without toxic side effects, instead of poisoning and burning the body through traditional cancer therapy like chemotherapy or radiation.

"Multikine has shown great promise. It's been shown to increase survival by 33% n Phase II studies. In the cancer field this is considered tremendous when only a 10% improvement is perceived as breakthrough. And what makes Multikine unique is that it's been shown to be safe and non toxic. ", said Geert Kersten, Chief Executive Officer of CEL-SCI Corporation.

By launching CEL-SCl's activities in UAE, the GCC cancer patients would be among the first patients to benefit from this innovative drug while it finishes clinical trials Multikine has been cleared in the U S and Canada for study in a global Phase III clinical trial in advanced primary (not yet treated) head and neck cancer patients.

Other indications that will likely be pursued for Multikine are breast cancer, skin cancer, cervical cancer, melanoma and enhancement of chemotherapy and radiation The last indication is particularly important because it may lead to an ability to reduce the amounts of radiation and chemotherapy given to patients.

"CEL-SCI vision is to change the way cancer is treated from toxic therapies that work against the body to non-toxic therapies that work with the body," said Kersten.

CEL-SCI recorded many very significant achievements last year, on top of these achievements is the FDA's go-ahead for a Phase III (last phase) clinical trial with its cancer drug Multikine and FDA giving Multikine the Orphan drug designation. CEL-SCI was also able to raise $30 million, half in equity and the other half in the form of the acquisition and build out of a manufacturing facility for Multikine which will then be leased to the company for 20 years.

"CEL-SCl's goal is to develop a major new cancer therapy which will help patients and their families and provide blockbuster potential to its shareholders. Multikine has that potential." Kersten added