BriaCell Awarded National Cancer Institute Grant to Advance its Bria-OTS™ Immunotherapy for Cancer

• NCI award (non-dilutive grant) further validates novel personalized off-the-shelf immunotherapy approach; and may facilitate future non-dilutive funding opportunities

PHILADELPHIA and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW) (TSX: BCT) (“BriaCell” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, is pleased to announce that the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the United States federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training, has awarded the Company a research grant to advance its platform of personalized off-the-shelf immunotherapies for cancer.

The grant award of non-dilutive funds is titled “An off-the-shelf tumor cell vaccine with HLA-matching alleles for the personalized treatment of advanced solid tumors”. The Company intends to use the funds for the development of Bria-OTS™, BriaCell’s novel personalized off-the-shelf immunotherapies for advanced metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.

“There is an urgent need for breakthrough cancer treatments that would improve both survival and quality of life of cancer patients, especially in those with advanced disease. Our clinical findings to date show promising top-line survival and quality of life outcomes in patients treated with our personalized immunotherapy,” stated Dr. William V. Williams, BriaCell’s President and CEO. “We would like to thank NCI for its generous support, recognizing the urgency for this unmet medical need, and considering our novel technology, among numerous other applicants, as a treatment that could potentially revolutionize cancer care. The NCI award further validates our approach and may facilitate future non-dilutive funding opportunities.”

“Historically, the manufacturing and administration of personalized cancer treatments have been very time-consuming, complicated, and costly,” stated Dr. Miguel Lopez-Lago, BriaCell’s Chief Scientific Officer. “Our cutting-edge off-the-shelf personalized immunotherapies have the potential to address all these issues and may represent a major advancement in cancer care.”

About BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.

BriaCell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care. More information is available at https://briacell.com/.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements, including in relation to (i) intends to use the funds for the development of Bria-OTS™; (ii) the results of any research and development of Bria-OTS™; (iii) ability to obtain future non-dilutive funding; and (iv) the ability to address issues relating to manufacturing and administration of personalized cancer treatments, are based on BriaCell’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form, and under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available under the Company’s profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

Company Contact:
William V. Williams, MD
President & CEO
1-888-485-6340
info@briacell.com 

Media Relations:
Jules Abraham
Director of Public Relations
CORE IR
917-885-7378
julesa@coreir.com

Investor Relations Contact:
CORE IR
investors@briacell.com