Toronto, Ontario / ACCESSWIRE / December 16, 2014 / Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase") (TLT:TSXV) (TLTFF: OTC Pink(R)) announced today that Brian C. Wilson, PhD has agreed to join the Theralase Medical and Scientific Advisory Board ("MSAB").
Dr. Wilson is a Senior Scientist and Head of the Applied Biophotonics group at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto.
The focus of the research of the Applied Biophotonics group is the development and application of new therapeutic and diagnostic techniques based on the use of lasers and other optical technologies.
In this translational research, a wide range of methodologies are used: theoretical and experimental studies of light transport in tissues, development of light sources, development of optical-fiber light delivery devices and optical dosimeters, photobiological studies at the cellular and tissue level, in vivo optical spectroscopy of tissues, development of prototype clinical instruments and co-operative clinical trials.
Two main themes of the group headed by Dr. Wilson are Photo Dynamic Therapy ("PDT") for cancer treatments and Tissue Fluorescence for early tumor detection and for guiding surgery.
PDT is the use of light-activated drugs, known as Photo Dynamic Compounds ("PDCs") to selectively destroy solid tumors. Dr Wilson's group has substantial experience in using tumor models to study the relationships between tumor responses and the light and PDC doses required to accomplish optimum results.
Tissue fluorescence is the re-emission of longer wavelengths of light by a molecule after absorption of a shorter wavelength photon. This is being investigated as a possible method for detection of early cancer as well as in guiding tumor surgery through the use of imaging and spectroscopy.
Dr. Wilson stated that, "I am pleased to accept the honour of joining the Theralase MSAB, which encompasses a very experienced and knowledgeable team of top scientific and clinical minds in the world of oncology and PDT technology. I look forward to contributing towards the advancement of the PDT application in the destruction of bladder cancer. Canada was the first country in the world to approve PDT, in 1993, for patients with refractory superficial bladder cancer, but the therapy was never widely adopted because of unacceptable collateral damage to the normal bladder wall. I believe that this could have been avoided if proper attention had been paid to individualizing the dosimetry for each patient, so I am excited by the prospects that this treatment will now be reassessed with a new generation of PDCs and proper individualized, patient specific dosimetry. My role will be to help provide the scientific expertise and rigour in the clinical evaluation of this technology and to work with my fellow MSAB members to develop a strong scientific and clinical protocol for Theralase's trials in the destruction of bladder cancer. I welcome supporting a FDA Health Canada Phase I / II a clinical trial in 2015."
Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated that, "I am delighted that someone of Dr. Wilson's stature and reputation has agreed to join Theralase's MSAB. His published scientific work in the PDT field spans decades of research and his experience and knowledge of PDC technology is well respected across the globe. Dr. Wilson's addition to the MSAB rounds out a world-class scientific and medical team, who are second to none in the destruction of cancer and application of PDT technology. I join the entire MSAB team in welcoming Dr. Wilson on board and look forward to working with him as we advance on proving our PDC technology clinically in 2015."
About Theralase Technologies Inc.
Founded in 1994, Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase(R)") (TSXV: TLT) (TLTFF: OTC Pink(R)) designs, manufactures and markets patented super-pulsed laser technology used for the elimination of pain, reduction of inflammation and dramatic acceleration of tissue healing. Theralase has sold over 1,200 systems to licensed healthcare practitioners, including: medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists and athletic therapists. Theralase has been so successful in healing nerve, muscle and joint conditions in clinical practice that Theralase's scientists and clinicians have now turned their attention to investigating the application of its lasers in the destruction of cancer, using specially designed molecules called Photo Dynamic Compounds ("PDCs"), which are able to localize to the cancer cells and when light activated, destroy them.
Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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For More Information:
Roger Dumoulin-White
President & CEO, Theralase Technologies Inc.
1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273) ext. 225
416.699.LASE (5273) ext. 225
SOURCE: Theralase Technologies Inc.