NEW YORK, May 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (Nasdaq:NBS) ("NeoStem" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, cell-based individualized medicine therapies, today announced the appointment of Dr. Merrick Ross, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Melanoma Section, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson), as the lead principal investigator for NeoStem's Intus study. The Intus study is a Phase 3 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of the Company's patient-specific targeted cancer immunotherapy candidate NBS20 (USAN = eltrapuldencel-T) in patients with stage III recurrent or stage IV metastatic melanoma.
"I have dedicated my career to helping patients with cancer to live the longest, highest-quality lives they can in each individual case," said Dr. Ross. "I have seen melanoma treatments evolve over the past 30 years and am looking forward to serving as study chairman for this pivotal Phase 3 trial."
Dr. Ross is a surgical oncologist with specific expertise in melanoma who has worked and taught at MD Anderson since 1989. Dr. Ross has published extensively in medical literature, frequently lectures both domestically and abroad and has been in leadership roles for several completed melanoma clinical trials at the institutional, national, and international level. He has also been the recipient of various honors, including the Charles M. McBride Distinguished Professorship in Surgical Oncology. Dr. Ross received his medical degree from the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago, completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Illinois Affiliated Hospitals in Chicago, and was Chief Resident at the University of Illinois Department of Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Ross completed a research fellowship at Scripps Clinic and Research Institute in La Jolla, California, and a surgical oncology fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
"We are very fortunate to have Dr. Ross serve as the lead principal investigator for the Intus study," said Dr. Douglas Losordo, Chief Medical Officer of NeoStem. "His expertise as a surgical oncologist and experience in melanoma particularly make him an invaluable resource to the trial as we work to advance NBS20. We are delighted to welcome the leadership of this esteemed physician-scientist."
For more information on the Intus Study please visit www.theintusstudy.com or www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01875653.
About NeoStem
NeoStem, Inc. is among the first of a new breed of immunotherapy companies with proven expertise and unique experience in cell process optimization, development, and manufacturing. NeoStem is a cell therapy leader with late-stage clinical programs based on a proprietary platform technology for immuno-oncology, as well as additional platform technologies for ischemic repair and immunomodulation, and capabilities that support other cell therapy developers. This integrated approach supports the industry in bringing significant life-improving medical treatments to market. www.neostem.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business strategy, the Company's ability to develop and grow its business, the successful development of cellular therapies with respect to the Company's research and development and clinical evaluation efforts in connection with the Company's Immuno-Oncology Program, Ischemic Repair Program, Immune Modulation Program and other cell therapies, the future of the regenerative medicine industry and the role of stem cells and cellular therapy in that industry, and the performance and planned expansion of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary and its center of excellence for cell therapy process development, engineering and manufacturing, PCT. The Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside of its control. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the Company in general, see the factors described under the heading, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015 and those described in the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.