RICHMOND, British Columbia, May 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- BioCurex Inc. (Pink Sheets:BOCX) announced today that it has initiated a collaboration with the Center for Cancer Care in Goshen, Indiana, for developing and evaluating its RECAF(tm) technology.
The collaboration with Biocurex and the Center for Cancer Care is long term and will consist of three phases: The first one will continue and expand the applications of our serum and biopsy tests using RECAF(tm). The second phase will focus on imaging applications using RECAF(tm) to detect the location of cancerous tumors in the body. The third phase includes clinical trials in which RECAF(tm) will be used as a way to specifically deliver therapeutic agents to destroy the cancer cells with minimal damage to normal tissues. The third phase is contingent to the previous development of animal and culture models demonstrating the benefits of RECAF for targeting cancer cells.
Dr. Douglas Schwartzentruber, Medical Director of Goshen Health System's Center for Cancer Care stated, "In many ways this is an ideal partnership that brings together the strengths of our institutions, both in the basic sciences and the clinical arena."
Dr. Douglas Schwartzentruber is a surgical oncologist who completed a fellowship in Immunotherapy at the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland where he subsequently worked for 13 years as a Senior Investigator. Dr. Schwartzentruber's research on the role of vaccines in the treatment of malignant melanoma, has gained both national and international attention. He serves on the editorial board for the American Journal of Oncology Review and the Journal of Translational Medicine.
Dr. Moro, CEO of BioCurex stated, "This collaboration represents a significant strategic move for us. Once we finalize the process of licensing the diagnostic applications of the RECAF technology, we shall move the focus of the company to its next logical level, which includes cancer imaging and therapy. We have already started research efforts in this direction and the initial results are encouraging".
Moro continued, "We are very happy with the collaboration with Goshen Health System's Center for Cancer Care because their knowledge will provide our group with a comprehensive understanding of the needs in the clinical cancer arena. Moreover, their access to patients, their ability to develop clinical trials and most importantly, their unusual interest and commitment to research is foretelling of a very successful collaboration."
A cancer marker allows one to distinguish cancer cells from non-cancerous cells. RECAF(tm) is a cancer marker exclusively developed and patented by BioCurex, Inc. Cancer markers most widely used in the detection and treatment of cancer include AFP, CEA, PSA and Ca125. An ideal cancer marker is a molecule present in all cancer cells but not in normal or benign tumor cells. RECAF(tm) could become the one cancer marker suitable to detect all cancer types. The potential benefit RECAF(tm) offers to patients is a superior diagnostic tool and a new way to deliver targeted therapy.
To read more about the Company, please visit the News section in our web site (www.biocurex.com).
The Center for Cancer Care of Goshen Health System (CCC/GHS), a leader in innovative cancer treatment, is among Indiana's first cancer centers to adopt a comprehensive approach to treatment. CCC/GHS offers holistic programs for strengthening minds as well as bodies, placing a premium on family involvement and spiritual needs. CCC/GHS encourages patients to play a decision-making role in treatment selection.
CCC/GHS provides comprehensive cancer care in a state-of-the-art facility on the campus of Goshen General Hospital. The Center participates in programs with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), Hoosier Oncology Group (HOG), The NCI's Clinical Trials Support Unit (CTSU) and Michigan State University (MSU). The Center is currently involved in over 40 clinical trials. For more details, visit www.cancermidwest.com
About BioCurex:
BioCurex, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing products based on patented/proprietary technology in the areas of cancer diagnosis, imaging and therapy. The technology identifies a cancer marker known as RECAF(tm), which is found on malignant cells from a variety of cancer types but is absent in most normal or benign cells. To find out more about BioCurex (Pink Sheets:BOCX), visit our website at www.biocurex.com.
Note:
The Company has not authorized the release of this information in any form that contravenes the Communication Act and will not be responsible for unsolicited massive distribution of this material by e-mail or facsimile by unauthorized parties. Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning given to that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results.