NW Bio's International Phase III GBM Brain Trial Is Subject Of BBC TV Report In The UK

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NWBO) ("NW Bio"), a biotechnology company developing non-toxic DCVax® personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, announced today that the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) TV network has broadcast a report profiling the first European patient in the Company's Phase III clinical trial of DCVax-L for Glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer (GBM), the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer.  This patient was operated on in June, 2013, by Dr. Keyoumars Ashkan, a senior neurosurgeon at Kings College Hospital and the lead investigator for the trial in the U.K., to remove his brain tumor and enable him to enter the DCVax-L trial.

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The BBC report can be seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25499045. The BBC report notes that immune therapies are emerging as one of the most important areas in cancer research, and that the Phase III trial of DCVax-L for GBM is one of the most advanced involving personalized immune therapies.  The profiled patient is well known British Shakespearean actor Robert Demeger, who has appeared regularly on the stage and in the popular TV series Doctor Who.  A further interview of Mr. Demeger can also be found on the BBC website (see "Related Videos" at the same link), in which Mr. Demeger describes in more detail his own condition and circumstances.

As noted by Dr. Ashkan in the BBC report, there is substantial variation among patients with the "same" GBM brain cancer.  One-size-fits-all treatments cannot address this patient-to-patient variation.  Personalized treatments are needed in order to address the variability. As described in the BBC report, DCVax-L is a personalized treatment made from the patient's own immune cells (dendritic cells) and biomarkers from the patient's own tumor. 

After reviewing and evaluating the DCVax-L technology and the current international Phase III clinical trial of DCVax-L for GBM, the National Health System (NIHR) "adopted" this trial as a nationwide priority in the UK, singling it out for additional resources and attention, as previously reported by the Company.  

"We appreciate the BBC highlighting the importance of the emerging category of immune therapies for cancer and profiling our advanced clinical trial, thereby helping to bring this information to the attention of patients" commented Linda Powers, CEO of NW Bio.  "Patients are urgently seeking new and better treatment options, but often have difficulty finding out about innovative new technologies such as DCVax-L.  The BBC's report will help many patients become aware of these potential new treatment options."

About Northwest Biotherapeutics

Northwest Biotherapeutics is developing cancer vaccines designed to treat a broad range of solid tumor cancers more effectively than current treatments, and without the side effects of chemotherapy drugs.  NW Bio's proprietary manufacturing technology enables the Company to produce its personalized vaccine in an efficient, cost-effective manner.  The Company has a broad platform technology for DCVax dendritic cell-based vaccines.  The Company's lead product, DCVax-L, is currently in a 312-patient Phase III trial for patients with newly diagnosed Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal brain cancer.  The Company's second product, DCVax-Direct, is currently in a 60-patient Phase I/II trial for direct injection into all types of inoperable solid tumor cancers.  The Company has also conducted a Phase I/II trial with DCVax for metastatic ovarian cancer together with the University of Pennsylvania.  The Company previously received clearance from the FDA for a 612-patient Phase III trial with its third product, DCVax-Prostate, for late stage prostate cancer.

Disclaimer
Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements concerning future treatment of patients using DCVax and future clinical trials, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "plan," "continue," "may," "will," "anticipate," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement.  Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, such as the Company's ability to raise additional capital, risks related to the Company's ability to enroll patient s in its clinical trials and complete the trials on a timely basis, the uncertainty of the clinical trials process, uncertainties about the timely performance of third parties, and whether the Company's products will demonstrate safety and efficacy.  Additional information on these and other factors, including Risk Factors, which could affect the Company's results, is included in its Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings.  Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company's SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc.