CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Pervasis
Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the company is pursuing a
matrix-embedded endothelial cell-based therapy (PVS-30200) to
target and regulate cell stroma (the tumor environment or
“ecosystem” that is comprised of various supporting cell types
distinct from cancer cells) in order to prevent key processes that
play a role in advancing solid tumor growth and metastasis (the
spread of cancer cells to secondary locations). A cornerstone of
Pervasis’ oncology program, the company has entered into an
exclusive patent license agreement with the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) for all discovery and development activities
associated with cellular implants for cancer diagnosis, prognosis
and treatment. In addition, supportive evidence from multiple
preclinical studies demonstrates the powerful anti-angiogenic,
anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of this
endothelial cell-based approach in the presence of various solid
tumor cancers, such as brain, lung, breast and prostate.
Pervasis, a clinical stage company based in Cambridge, Mass., is
focused on developing breakthrough cell-based therapies that
harness the healing power of the endothelium, the thin layer of
cells that lines the interior surface of every blood vessel in the
body. The company’s other areas of clinical investigation include
improving outcomes following common vascular surgical and
interventional procedures, such as hemodialysis access,
angioplasties, stents and peripheral and coronary bypass grafts —
the failures of which result in serious complications and a
significant increase in medical costs.
“We are very excited to expand our focus to include the critical
area of oncology,” stated Frederic Chereau, president and chief
executive officer of Pervasis. “We already have amassed a
significant amount of data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of
utilizing our novel cell-based approach to improve outcom
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