LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. ("ImmunoCellular") (NYSE MKT: IMUC) today announced it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with Eduardo Davila, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.  The agreement includes three projects, which together have the potential to improve the efficacy of dendritic cell, T-cell, and combination immunotherapies for cancer and lead to enhancements to both of ImmunoCellular's dendritic cell and Stem-to-T-cell platforms.

• The first of three projects evaluates certain immune modulators that could enhance T-cell killing of tumor cells. These small molecule modulators have been shown preclinically to be capable of increasing tumor antigen expression while simultaneously decreasing expression of ligands, such as PD-L1 and PDL2, which decrease T-cell activity. This technology applies directly to both ImmunoCellular platforms.
• The second project explores the combination of engineered killer T-cells and dendritic cell immunotherapies on tumor killing. These T-cells embody a novel engineering technology that potentially amplifies their cytotoxic, proliferative, and cytokine-producing properties toward tumor antigens. Combining these engineered T-cells with ImmunoCellular's dendritic cell immunotherapies could lead to enhanced tumor cell killing.
• The third project tests novel peptide configurations for use with dendritic cell immunotherapies to potentially induce enhanced T-cell responses.

Dr. Davila is the Program Leader for the Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program within the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center Program. As such, he collaborates with both basic and clinical research investigators to understand the immune regulation of malignant disease and translate this knowledge into the development of novel diagnostic, preventative and treatment regimens.

"ImmunoCellular's research and early development strategy is to complement and enhance our dendritic cell and Stem-to-T-cell technology platforms and create potent cell-based cancer immunotherapeutic clinical candidates and combinations," said Steven Swanson, PhD, ImmunoCellular Senior Vice President, Research. "The research projects we are undertaking with Dr. Davila align well with this strategy and have the potential to lead to platform technology enhancements and new clinical programs."

"With this agreement and with other related research underway, we are systematically delivering on our goal to build a leading cancer immunotherapy company.  We are pleased with the enhanced position we are establishing in the dendritic cell and T-cell cancer immunotherapy space," said Andrew Gengos, ImmunoCellular Chief Executive Officer. 

About ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. is a Los Angeles-based clinical-stage company that is developing immune-based therapies for the treatment of brain and other cancers. The phase 3 registrational trial of lead product candidate, ICT-107, a dendritic cell-based immunotherapy targeting multiple tumor-associated antigens on glioblastoma stem cells, is open for patient screening. ImmunoCellular's pipeline also includes: ICT-121, a dendritic cell immunotherapy targeting the CD133 antigen on stem cells in recurrent glioblastoma; ICT-140, a dendritic cell immunotherapy targeting antigens on ovarian cancer stem cells; and the Stem-to-T-cell research program which engineers the patient's hematopoietic stem cells to generate antigen-specific cancer-killing T cells. For more information please visit www.imuc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements for ImmunoCellular Therapeutics

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the development and commercialization of ICT-107, initiation of a phase 3 study of ICT-107, the advancement of the ICT-121 phase 1 trial, the development of the Company's preclinical Stem-to-T-cell and related research and collaborative program efforts and its ability to achieve other clinical, operational and financial goals. These statements are based on ImmunoCellular's current expectations and involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in ImmunoCellular's most recently filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K. Except as required by law, ImmunoCellular undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.
Investor Relations
Jane Green
415.348.0010 direct 415.652.4819
mobile
jane@jmgcomm.com 

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SOURCE ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.