OncoSec Presents Advancements in Intratumoral Gene Electro-Transfer Devices for Immuno-Oncology

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoSec Medical Incorporated ("OncoSec") (NASDAQ: ONCS), a company developing DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, today presented recent advancements in the field of electroporation (EP) and the future of catheter-based devices to perform minimally invasive intratumoral immunotherapy treatment at the First World Congress on Electroporation and Pulsed Electric Fields in Biology, Medicine and Food & Environmental Technologies in Portoroz, Slovenia. 

In a keynote presentation entitled: "Advances in Clinical Electroporation: Tissue Sensing, Feedback Control, and Catheter Technology," Robert H. Pierce, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, discussed OncoSec's advances in intratumoral gene electro-transfer, using 'smart' tissue-sensing technology and the development of catheter-based electrodes, enabling treatment of deep and visceral tumors.

"We are excited to be presenting our engineering advances at the First World Congress," said Dr. Pierce. "The development of minimally-invasive electroporation devices capable of high-efficiency delivery of immunotherapeutic genes into tumors located anywhere in the body is critical to establishing intratumoral EP-mediated gene therapy as a standard therapeutic modality in immuno-oncology."

OncoSec's New Catheter Electrode Technology

OncoSec's new catheter-based electrodes are designed to be compatible with standard medical instrumentation, allowing access to deep and visceral tumors, where they are capable of anchoring to and treating the tumor using OncoSec's proprietary technology. These all-in-one devices have the ability to inject a DNA-based agent, while deploying electrodes to perform electroporation in a single procedure. Moreover, these devices have an adjustable needle and electrode penetration depth allowing clinicians to treat tumors of varying dimensions to perform minimally invasive intratumoral immunotherapy.

Development of Tissue Sensing and Feedback Control

OncoSec is developing 'smart' electroporation technology capable of tissue sensing and real-time feedback control of electroporation pulse trains in order to attain optimal gene transfer and minimal electroporation-mediated tissue damage. Dr. Pierce added: "Taken together, these engineering advances can enable access and high-efficiency gene delivery to tumors throughout the body. This is key as we move forward in developing OncoSec's pipeline of novel intratumoral therapies."

"Our partnership with Rev.1 Engineering and internal bioengineering expertise have allowed OncoSec to enhance our ImmunoPulse™ platform and position the Company as a leader in gene electro-transfer technologies in cancer immunotherapy," said Punit Dhillon, President and CEO of OncoSec. "We are also strengthening our intellectual property portfolio in the area of gene and drug delivery via electroporation to reach visceral tumors and enhance the uptake of therapeutic agents."

Licensing of University of South Florida Catheter Electrode Patent

OncoSec secured an exclusive license for a specific patented technology from the University of South Florida Research Foundation (USFRF). The patent provides a device and related methods to deliver molecules to cells that comprise any tissue. The patent includes a catheter-based electrode and methods to deliver molecules to cardiac tissue, blood vessels, other tissues/organs that can be accessed through a luminal tissue and luminal tissues. The device also functions as a non-catheter based electrode for performing the same functions. Financial terms of this agreement were not disclosed.

For more information about OncoSec and its technologies, please visit: www.oncosec.com.

About OncoSec Medical Incorporated

OncoSec is a biopharmaceutical company developing DNA-based intratumoral immunotherapies with an investigational technology, ImmunoPulse™, for the treatment of cancer.  ImmunoPulse™ is designed to enhance the local delivery and uptake of DNA-based immune-targeting agents, such as IL-12. In Phase I and II clinical trials, ImmunoPulse™ IL-12 has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and evidence of anti-tumor activity in the treatment of various skin cancers as well as the potential to initiate a systemic immune response. OncoSec's lead program, ImmunoPulse™ IL-12, is currently in Phase II development for several indications, including metastatic melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In addition to ImmunoPulse™ IL-12, the company is also identifying and developing new immune-targeting agents for use with the ImmunoPulse™ platform. For more information, please visit www.oncosec.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "can," "expect," "future," "may," "should," "will," and similar references to future periods.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on management's current preliminary expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause our results to differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted include, among others, the following: uncertainties inherent in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, such as the ability to enroll patients in clinical trials and the risk of adverse events; unexpected new data, safety and technical issues; our ability to raise additional funding necessary to fund continued operations; and the other factors discussed in OncoSec's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. OncoSec disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CONTACT:
Investor Relations:
Jordyn Kopin
OncoSec Medical Incorporated
855-662-6732
[email protected]

Media Relations:
Mary Marolla
OncoSec Medical Incorporated
855-662-6732
[email protected]

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SOURCE OncoSec Medical Incorporated

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