Sernova expands its intellectual property portfolio and capabilities to develop first-in-class cell therapy solutions for type 1 diabetes and other chronic diseases that eliminate the need for life-long immunosuppression drugs

LONDON, ONTARIO – August 4, 2020 – Sernova Corp. (TSXV:SVA) (OTC:SEOVF) (FSE:PSH), a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing a ‘functional cure’ for type 1 diabetes and other chronic diseases, announced today it has entered into an exclusive, worldwide license with the University of Miami at Coral Gables, Florida, for the commercial rights to novel conformal coating immune protection technologies. The technologies were developed by Dr. Alice Tomei, Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell, and Aaron Stock (Graduate Student). Dr. Tomei is a leading international expert in immunoprotection and diabetes immunoengineering, of the renowned Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Hubbell is the Eugene Bell Professor of Tissue Engineering at the University of Chicago and leading international researcher in immunoengineering.

This exclusive worldwide license agreement is important to Sernova because it broadens the technology scope of Sernova’s immune protection conformal coating technologies and related intellectual property. Furthermore, it adds to a series of recent strategic acquisitions and collaborations for the Company and builds on our goal of protecting Sernova’s therapeutic cells or tissues transplanted into Sernova’s Cell Pouch™ from a detrimental auto-immune system response while eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs in treated patients.

“Sernova is further advancing development of its novel Cell Pouch System™ as a therapeutic platform to provide cell therapy solutions to patients with chronic diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, without the current need for life-long immunosuppressive drugs. We believe, with the addition of local immune protection, our breakthrough technologies will have the potential to significantly expand access to and the availability of therapeutic solutions to millions of people as a ‘functional cure’ for the chronic diseases from which they are suffering,” said Dr. Philip Toleikis, President and CEO of Sernova Corp.

Dr. Toleikis continued, “As we continue to advance our first-in-class technologies, we have diligently selected complementary technologies developed by recognized experts in the field such as those by Dr. Tomei and colleagues to add to our Cell Pouch™ platform. With the continued expansion of our regenerative medicine therapeutics platform, we are positioning the Company at the forefront in the development of safe, functional regenerative medicine therapeutics.”

Dr. Alice Tomei, the Director of the Islet Immunoengineering Laboratory at DRI stated, “Following my postdoctoral training in Dr. Hubbell’s laboratory at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, I joined the University of Miami where I have focussed my academic career in the pursuit and development of novel cellular immune protection technologies to advance the field of cell therapy. With Sernova’s goal of a ‘functional cure’ for diabetes, supported by its positive preclinical and more recent, emerging clinical safety and efficacy data from the University Chicago clinical trial, I am excited to contribute to the addition of local immune protection technologies provided by conformal coatings as the next important step towards this ultimate goal.”  

ABOUT SERNOVA CORP.

Sernova Corp is developing regenerative medicine therapeutic solutions using a medical device (Cell Pouch™) and immune protected therapeutic cells/tissues (i.e., human donor cells, corrected human cells and stem cell-derived cells) to improve the treatment and quality of life of people with chronic metabolic diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes, blood disorders including hemophilia, and other diseases treated through cellular production of proteins or hormones missing or in short supply within the body. For more information, please visit www.sernova.com.

ABOUT SERNOVA’S CELL POUCH™ SYSTEM

The Cell Pouch™, as part of the Cell Pouch™ System, is a novel, proprietary, scalable, implantable macro- encapsulation device solution designed for the long-term survival and function of therapeutic cells. The device upon implantation is designed to incorporate with tissue, forming highly vascularized tissue chambers for the transplantation and function of therapeutic cells, which then release proteins and hormones as required to treat disease. The Cell Pouch™, along with therapeutic cells, has been shown to provide long-term safety and efficacy in small and large animal models of diabetes and has been proven to provide a biologically compatible environment for insulin-producing cells in humans in a Canadian first-in-human study. Sernova is currently conducting a Phase I/II study at the University of Chicago.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Dominic Gray

Sernova Corp.

Tel: (519) 858-5126

dominic.gray@sernova.com

www.sernova.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” that involve various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, without limitation, statements regarding the prospects, plans, and objectives of the Company. Wherever possible, but not always, words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential for" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s beliefs with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management on the date such statements were made. Many factors could cause Sernova’s actual results, performances or achievements to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended or to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors could include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to secure additional financing and licensing arrangements on reasonable terms, or at all; ability to conduct all required preclinical and clinical studies for the Company’s Cell Pouch System and/or related technologies, including the timing and results of those trials; ability to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals, or on a timely basis; ability to in-license additional complementary technologies; ability to execute its business strategy and successfully compete in the market; and the inherent risks associated with the development of biotechnology combination products generally. Many of the factors are beyond our control, including those caused by, related to, or impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Investors should consult the Company’s quarterly and annual filings available on www.sedar.com for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Sernova expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.