AFID Therapeutics Inc. Obtains Positive Evaluation of its Triple Mode Viral Sequestration Agents

LANSING, Mich., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Afid Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it received positive results on the ability of its new triple mode viral sequestration agents to block viral infections of mammalian cells. The audited results were obtained from a specialized, independent third party testing organization. The new viral sequestrating agents are designed to bind and inactivate viruses by 3 critical mechanisms thus blocking infection. They are aimed at viruses responsible for common causes of influenza in addition to SARS, bird flu and other avian influenzas. "Carbohydrate interactions are critical to the infection process in these systems. The technology capitalizes on the companies' rich carbohydrate chemistry technology portfolio and expertise," said Afid Founder and President Rawle Hollingsworth. Dr. Hollingsworth is a world authority on carbohydrate chemistry and holds nearly 50 issued US patents, scores of international patents and well over 100 publications on many aspects of carbohydrate chemistry critical to the success of the effort. The company intends to pursue both therapeutic and non- therapeutic applications. "The chemistry can be done easily enough that applications in public health, environmental, personal care and defense arenas are well within reach," adds Hollingsworth. "There are no real obstacles to scaling up," said Dr. Li Gao, Afid's research director.

Afid Therapeutics, Inc. was the first start-up firm to receive support from the "Rational Siting Push-Pull Accelerator" (RSPPA) grant to Michigan State University (MSU) from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor. The company recently received a $1.66M award from the Michigan 21st Century Jobs Creation Fund. It specializes in advanced chemistry based on carbohydrates with a focus on the drug discovery and development areas and provides advanced chemical intermediates to over 50 pharmaceutical clients around the world.

CONTACT: Dr. Rawle I. Hollingsworth +1-517-336-4663, Fax +1-517-324-1912,rih@afidtherapeutics.com

Web site: http://www.afidtherapeutics.com/