ImmuneRegen Achieves Key Milestone in Testing of Potential Infectious Disease Treatment
16 Januar 2007 - 1:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Company Ships Viprovex(TM) for Study Sponsored by Singapore's DSO
National Laboratories SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC:IRBO)
(BULLETIN BOARD: IRBO) , announced today that it has completed the
initial shipment of its proprietary compound Viprovex(TM) to
Singapore's Defense Medical & Environmental Research Institute,
DSO National Laboratories ("DSO"), for use in a Pilot Study on
Acute Melioidosis. Also called Whitmore's disease, melioidosis is
an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia
pseudomallei, and is endemic to Southeast Asia. The study to
investigate the therapeutic effects of Viprovex(TM) on acute
melioidosis is funded by DSO and is expected to be completed during
the third quarter of this year. Melioidosis is quite common in
Southeast Asia, with the greatest concentration of cases reported
in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma),
and northern Australia. Additionally, it is seen in the South
Pacific, Africa, India, and the Middle East. The causative agent,
Burkholderia pseudomallei along with the related Burkholderia
mallei, the causative agent of glanders, can be transmitted from
animals to man as well as from person to person. The bacteria can
be found in contaminated water and soil and is spread to humans and
animals through direct contact with the contaminated source.
Mortality rate for melioidosis varies and is as high as 90%
particularly when the bacteria is aerosolized. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers both as potential
agents for biological warfare and biological terrorism and there is
currently no vaccine for either melioidosis or glanders. "We are
pleased that a prestigious entity such as the DSO has selected our
compound to test against this highly infectious disease," said
ImmuneRegen's CEO Michael Wilhelm. "We recognize that melioidosis
currently represents a significant health threat on the Asian
continent, as reflected by the high mortality rates associated with
the disease and has the potential to be used as an agent by
terrorist organizations." These studies augment the ongoing
research being conducted by ImmuneRegen on so-called "Threats of
the 21st Century" which include radioactive contamination, anthrax,
pandemic influenza and chemical contamination, areas in which
ImmuneRegen's Radilex and Viprovex hold promise of possible
effectiveness in ameliorating morbidity and mortality in small
animal studies. About Radilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM) Radilex is the
trade name used in referring to formulations of Homspera for
potential indications for treatment of exposure to ionizing
radiation. Viprovex is the trade name used in referring to
formulations of Homspera for potential indications for treatment of
viral and bacterial infections. Homspera is a generic name used by
the Company to describe the synthetic peptide Sar9, Met
(O2)11-Substance P, an analog of the naturally occurring human
neuropeptide Substance P, which can be found throughout the body,
including in the airways of humans and many other species. All of
the Company's research and development efforts are early,
pre-clinical stage and Homspera, as Viprovex and Radilex, has only
undergone exploratory studies to evaluate its biological activity
in small animals. About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. IR
BioSciences Holdings Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., is a development stage biotechnology
company focused on the research and development of Homspera(TM) and
its derivatives Radilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM), which are designed to
be used as countermeasures for multiple homeland security
bioterrorism threats. Homspera is derived from Substance P, a
naturally occurring peptide immunomodulator and homeostatic
compound with the dual effect of improving pulmonary function and
the stimulation of the human immune system. For more information,
please visit the company's website at http://www.immuneregen.com/.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including
statements about the potential for the Company's drug candidates,
science and technology, and all other statements in this press
release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as
that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking
statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These
future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and,
together with the Company's business, are subject to various risks
and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ
materially from expected results as a result of a number of
factors, including the fact that preliminary results involved only
a small number of test mice, the subsequent investigations were
limited in scope, the uncertainties inherent in research and
development collaborations, pre-clinical and clinical trials and
product development programs, (including, but not limited to the
fact that future results or research and development efforts may
prove less encouraging than current results or cause side effects
not observed in current pre-clinical trials) the evaluation of
potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures and
monies available for further studies, capital market conditions,
and others set forth in the Company's periodic report on Form
10-QSB for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and on Form
10-KSB for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees
that any of the Company's proposed products will prove to be
commercially successful. The Company undertakes no duty to update
forward-looking statements. MEDIA CONTACT: W. Jason Grimley
Spelling Communications 310-477-9500 INVESTOR CONTACT: Josh
Reynolds CEOcast, Inc. 212-732-4300 DATASOURCE: IR BioSciences
Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: Media, W. Jason Grimley of Spelling
Communications, +1-310-477-9500, , for IR BioSciences Holdings,
Inc.; or Investors, Josh Reynolds of CEOcast, Inc.,
+1-212-732-4300, , for IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. Web site:
http://www.immuneregen.com/
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