NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Islet Sciences, Inc., (OTC.BB: ISLT) a biotechnology company engaged in development and commercialization of patented technologies for the next generation of therapy for persons with Diabetes, today announced that Dr. Eitan Akirav has joined its Scientific Advisory Board.
“This key addition to our Scientific Advisory Board is a testament to the solid progress we have made and the leading edge therapies for diabetes that we are focused on providing,” stated Dr. Jonathan Lakey, Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Islet Sciences. “As we bolster our overall team we are proud to add Dr. Akirav to our organization and look forward to announcing additional milestones over the coming year.”
“I am pleased to announce this strategic addition to our Scientific Advisory Board as we continue to make significant progress on our growth strategy,” said John Steel, Chairman and CEO of Islet Sciences. “The expertise and deep industry relationships Dr. Akirav brings along with his significant knowledge in the field of diabetes will be quite helpful to the company moving forward. Dr. Akirav’s recent co-authorship of the American Diabetes Association study titled “Immune Therapy and β-Cell Death in Type 1 Diabetes” is clearly groundbreaking and we are thrilled that he has chosen to be a part of our esteemed Scientific Advisory Board.”
Dr. Akirav stated, “My laboratory is involved in the development of new diagnostic assays for the detection of β cell loss in diabetes. By joining Islet Sciences’ Scientific Advisory Board I hope to deepen our collaboration and advance the company’s mission towards finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.”
Dr. Eitan Akirav is a Research Scientist at Winthrop-University Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Research at Stony Brook University School of Medicine in Long Island, NY. His novel work in the field of diabetes mellitus includes the development of a method for measuring dead β cell DNA in the blood. Together with Dr. Kevan Herold of Yale University, Dr. Akirav’s method provides, for the first time, a real time measurement of β cell loss during the phases of pre-diabetes, disease diagnosis, and following clinical intervention. In addition, Dr. Akirav focuses on understanding the interactions between β cells and the islet endothelium, while identifying novel factors that can improve β cell function and promote cell regeneration. Dr. Akirav collaborates with colleagues at numerous global institutions. He received a B.Sc. from Tel Aviv University (Summa Cum Laude), a M.Sc. from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. and postdoctoral training from Yale University. During his academic training, Dr. Akirav focused on autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes.
About Islet Sciences, Inc.
Islet Sciences is a development-stage biotechnology company with patented technologies focused on infusion therapy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes. The Company's infusion technology includes methods for the culturing, isolation, maturation, and immunoprotection (microencapsulation) of islet cells. The Company's mission includes the introduction of commercial products relevant to the insulin dependent diabetes marketplace including diagnostics and anti-inflammatory compounds. For more information: www.isletsciences.com
About Winthrop-University Hospital
Winthrop-University Hospital is a major academic medical center in Mineola, NY. A clinical campus of the Stony Brook University School of Medicine, the hospital is the second largest facility on Long Island, with 591 beds and a medical staff of over 1,300 employed and community physicians. The hospital is also a major clinical research facility, and is in the process of constructing a new, 95,000 square foot Research Institute that will consolidate all of the hospital’s research initiatives under one roof. A major focus of the Institute will be to develop programs and projects that improve our understanding of diabetes and obesity, two major national health priorities.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements for Islet Sciences reflect current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the risks described in the Islet Science's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The companies' further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside their control.