Nuvilex Announces Advance in Gene Therapy for Encapsulated Living Cells Using Magnetic Nanoparticles

SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), an emerging international biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions through its associate SG Austria, announced today a significant advance in gene therapy with a new, unique, and specialized system for induction of gene expression in encapsulated cells.

In a recent publication in the Journal of Controlled Release, SG Austria and its research partners described a new system for induction of gene expression, or the means for stimulating a gene to be expressed within cells, including those that have been encapsulated and implanted in the body.

The process described in the publication involves the stimulation of pre-programmed living cells, encapsulated using the Cell-in-a-Box technology, to express therapeutic genes under the control of a heat shock protein inducible promoter. This is done by simultaneously co-encapsulating pre-programmed cells and magnetic nanoparticles, which are much smaller than the cells. When subjected to an alternating magnetic field, the magnetic nanoparticles inside the capsules vibrate, producing heat. This results in a localized, temporary increase in temperature inside the capsules. This heat causes specialized heat shock proteins in the cells to induce expression of the therapeutic gene(s).

Although both cell and gene therapies have an enormous range of potential applications, a critical issue in modern molecular biology has been to be able to regulate and control gene expression. Therefore, many systems have been created to regulate gene expression. Those gene expression systems currently available mostly rely on small molecules such as hormones or antibiotics as inducers. Unfortunately, administration of some of these inducers is difficult to control, the effects on gene regulation are typically slow, and they do not easily shut off once turned on. The new system developed by SG Austria and its partners will allow doctors in the future to more accurately control both dosage and the synthesis of specific proteins for treating a disease.

Dr. Robert Ryan, CEO of Nuvilex, said: "We are excited by this latest development, since fine-tuned heating of the encapsulated cells by nanoparticles by a localized magnetic field will allow carefully regulated gene expression within a short time. All of this can be done from outside the body they have been placed in. This system has great versatility and potential for advancing cell and gene therapy approaches, substantially increasing the value and dramatically expanding the capabilities of our live cell encapsulation technology."

About Nuvilex

Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX) is an emerging international biotechnology provider of live, clinically useful, therapeutically valuable, encapsulated cells as well as services for encapsulating live cells for the research and medical communities. Through substantial effort, the aspects of our corporate activities alone and in concert with SG Austria continue to move toward agreement completion and ultimately a strong future together. Our companys ultimate clinical offerings will include cancer, diabetes and other treatments using the companys industry-leading cell and gene therapy expertise and cutting-edge, live-cell encapsulation technology.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 involving risks and uncertainties including product demand, market competition, and Nuvilexs ability to meet current or future plans which may cause actual results, events, and performances, expressed or implied, to vary and/or differ from those contemplated or predicted. Investors should study and understand all risks before making an investment decision. Readers are recommended not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Nuvilex is not obliged to publicly release revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances afterward, or to disclose unanticipated occurrences, except as required under applicable laws.

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Nuvilex Announces Advance in Gene Therapy for Encapsulated Living Cells Using Magnetic Nanoparticles