Rich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Highlights 2014 Significant Accomplishments

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Rich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RCHA) ("Rich Pharmaceuticals" or the "Company"),  a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies in oncology, with initial concentration in treating Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML) and Hodgkin's Lymphoma based on its proprietary differentiation agent RP-323, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), highlights the Company's 2014 significant accomplishments.

Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is the most common acute leukemia type that affects adults.   AML is an aggressive form of cancer of the blood and the bone marrow, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal white blood cells.  In the U.S., about 18,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed annually.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that is found most frequently in two different age groups: 15 – 35 and over 55, and occurs in both sexes although it is more common in males and individuals with HIV. Malignant Reed Sternberg cells invade and destroy the architecture of the lymph nodes and infiltrate major organs such as the liver and spleen.  Radiation and chemotherapy are used routinely but these treatments can later result in morbidity and mortality as a result of causing second malignancies.  In the U.S., over 175,000 people suffer from Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

Rich Pharmaceuticals' RP-323 is a phorbol ester, which induces differentiation and/or apoptosis in multiple cell lines and primary cells, activates protein kinase C (PKC), and modulates the activity of multiple downstream cell signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.  TPA induces PKC to produce NF kappa, which produces NF kappa B that has the ability to regulate cellular responses by entering into the nucleus of cell. NF kappa B binds to DNA and changes the nature of the cell and (1) induces differentiation; (2) induces proliferation; (3) cytokine induction; (4) and/or apoptosis.

In 2005, a leading oncologist at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) conducted a Phase 1 investigator-sponsored trial in 35 patients using the study drug, TPA.  This study determined the maximum tolerated dose and described the side effects of the study drug.  The results of this Phase 1 trial led to interest by the same investigator to initiate the next Phase of study. See:  Schaar, D., Goodell, L., Alisner,T., Cui X. X., Han, Z. T., Chang, R.L., Marrtin, T., Grospe, S., Dudek, L., Riley, T., Manago, T., Lin, Y.,  Rubin, E. H., Conney, A. H., and  Stair, R. K.:   A phase 1 clinical trial of 12-0-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate for patients with relapsed/refractory malignancies.   Cancer Chemptheray and Pharmacol  pp. 789-795,  2005.

Rich Pharmaceuticals submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application in October 2014, to conduct a clinical trial for its lead compound RP-323 in Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Rich Pharmaceuticals plans to initiate a multicenter, clinical study using RP-323 to treat AML and MDS patients.  In connection with the IND, Rich Pharmaceuticals was required to manufacture sufficient quantities of RP-323 under GMP, which was recently completed at state-of-the-art Wuxi Apptec Biopharmaceutical's facility based in Shanghai, China.

On July 23, 2014, Rich Pharmaceuticals retained Therinova Development, Inc., a San Diego, CA based contract research organization (CRO), to file its investigational new drug (IND), and identify and supervise the next phase of clinical development trial sites for the use of RP-323 in Acute Myelocytic Leukemia patients.  Therinova provides comprehensive product development solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry, with offices in San Diego, California.  For more information on Therinova, visit: www.therinova.com

On October 13, 2014, Rich Pharmaceuticals entered into an agreement with Richard L. Chang Holdings, LLC for ownership to its investigational cancer patent assignment using Phorbol Esters in the treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Under terms of the agreement, Rich Pharmaceuticals will obtain complete ownership and all interest in the indication, patents and intellectual property related to treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, utility patent application number 61998397, entitled COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE OF PHORBOL ESTERS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA. 

"We are elated about the progress we made in 2014.   I would like to personally thank our entire staff and consultants for the tireless work they have and will be devoting to Rich Pharmaceuticals to attempt to bring RP-323 to additional clinical studies.  We look forward to one day when there is a more effective non-evasive treatment for AML and Hodgkin's lymphoma," said Ben Chang,  Rich Pharmaceuticals' CEO.  

About Rich Pharmaceuticals:
Rich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RCHA) is a biopharmaceutical company developing a treatment for Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML)/white blood cell elevation, Hodgkin's Lymphoma and other blood related diseases.  Rich Pharmaceuticals' goal is to extend refractory patients life expectancy and increase quality of life.  Rich Pharmaceuticals' primary development stage product candidate, RP-323, is being designed to treat blood and cancer related diseases through non-evasive outpatient facilities.  Find out more at www.richpharmaceuticals.com.

For more infomraiton about AML see for example:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/adultAML/Patient/page1 
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-acutemyeloidaml/

For more information about Hodgkin's Lymphoma see for example:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/hodgkin 
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/hodgkindisease/

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, references to novel technologies and methods, our business and product development plans, our financial projections or market information. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies and operating as a development stage company, our ability to raise the additional funding we will need to continue to pursue our business and product development plans, our ability to develop and commercialize products based on our technology platform, competition in the industry in which we operate and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the reports and other documents we file with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Rich Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.richpharmaceuticals.com

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