IR BioSciences Announces Promising Data from Study of Its Compound Homspera
07 Mai 2007 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Data Suggests Homspera Shows Promise As an Adjuvant for Vaccines
against Avian Flu and Other Viruses SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 7
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC:IRBO)
(BULLETIN BOARD: IRBO) announced today that preliminary data from
its influenza vaccine adjuvant study being performed in conjunction
with GenPhar Inc. indicates Homspera elevates host immune
responsiveness above that induced by vaccine alone system. These
results are from an ongoing study, and are a strong indication that
Homspera may demonstrate adjuvant capabilities, and thus be capable
of augmenting host immune system responsiveness to vaccines for
diseases such as pandemic avian influenza, seasonal influenza, and
perhaps others for which vaccines exist or are under development.
Adjuvants are common additions to vaccine formulations, as they
enable the vaccine to induce a strong immune reaction in vaccinated
individuals, helping to ensure adequate immunological protection.
The Homspera studies, being carried out by GenPhar, examine the
impact of vaccination with pieces of influenza viruses (a current
H5N1 "avian influenza" strain and from the 1918 Spanish Influenza
virus). A fear of many scientists and public health officials is
that the current avian influenza endemic to Southeast Asia may
mutate sufficiently to become more easily transmitted among humans,
yet maintain its highly pathogenic nature. Such an event, centered
on the virus currently exhibiting mortality in infected humans of
approximately 50%, can trigger a rapid global spread of highly
pathogenic virus with disastrous consequences. Vaccines against
avian influenza are not available in volumes needed to inoculate a
significant percentage of the world's population. Similarly, the
most effective prophylactic or therapeutic drug, oseltamivir
(Tamiflu(R), Roche), is reportedly not being stockpiled in amounts
adequate to provide protection to the at-risk population. As the
World Health Organization notes, when the next pandemic virus
strain emerges, it could circle the globe in three months and cause
significant morbidity and mortality. Subsequent waves of virus
spread would add to the economic and social dislocation. Whatever
drugs or vaccines are available at the start of the pandemic must
be sufficient to vaccinate or treat the maximum number of people
within weeks or at most, a few months. Adjuvants provide the
capability to maximize the number of individuals who can be treated
with a limited amount of vaccine. In conjunction with Homspera's
previously reported capability to decrease influenza viral titers
and symptoms in the cotton rat model of influenza, the adjuvant
capability makes Homspera a highly desirable candidate product for
use in influenza. ImmuneRegen BioSciences will continue to explore
this capability of its Homspera compound. 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
modified 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, 2006 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. Contact: MEDIA CONTACT: W. Jason
Grimley Spelling Communications 310-477-9500 INVESTOR CONTACT: Josh
Reynolds CEOcast, Inc. 212-732-4300 IN-HOUSE INVESTOR CONTACT: Bill
Lane ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. 480-922-3926 DATASOURCE: IR
BioSciences Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: MEDIA: W. Jason Grimley of
Spelling Communications, +1-310-477-9500, ; INVESTORS: Josh
Reynolds of CEOcast, Inc., +1-212-732-4300, ; or IN-HOUSE INVESTOR
CONTACT: Bill Lane of ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.,
+1-480-922-3926, Web site: http://www.immuneregen.com/
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