ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. Responds To Department Of Defense
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Research and development biotechnology company ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. , today announced it has recently submitted the requested proposal to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the 2006 Medical Science And Technology (S&T) Chemical And Biological Defense Transformational Medical Technologies Initiative (TMTI). ImmuneRegen has submitted for this grant in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The submission makes a case for the development of Homspera(TM), a proprietary compound, as a Universal Protectant based on a Common Pathogenic Pathway.
"We are encouraged by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's support in our proposal," says ImmuneRegen CEO Michael Wilhelm. "We believe their unique experience and expertise in the areas of chemical, biological and radiological threats will enhance our research and directly address the objectives of public health and national security. The proposal is further validated by the international recognition of the excellence of the NIH-supported proteomics program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)."
The collaboration with PNNL will enable ImmuneRegen to perform more in-depth studies on Homspera than were previously unavailable. Homspera is the name for ImmuneRegen's synthetic Substance P analog, Sar(9), Met (O2)(11)-Substance P. Substance P is a naturally occurring peptide that can be found throughout the body, including in the nerves surrounding the airways of humans and several other species. ImmuneRegen's proposal references several past biological studies of Homspera including radiation studies, formalin exposure studies and viral studies, including exposure of experimental animals to Hong Kong influenza virus.
Past testing of Homspera has shown a 50% survival rate among irradiated mice (7.75 gray) treated Post Lethal Exposure (PLE). Additionally, ImmuneRegen researchers have found that Homspera preserves pulmonary structure and function after toxicant exposure and impacts immunomodulatory responses following respiratory virus exposure, decreasing morbidity and mortality in experimental animals.
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
IR BioSciences Holdings Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., is developing Homspera(TM) and its derivatives Radilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM) as a family of countermeasures for multiple homeland security threats, including chemical agents, Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS) from a dirty bomb or nuclear disaster, and infectious disease/biological warfare scenarios. This positions the base compound Homspera as a potential Universal Protectant. Homspera is derived from modified homeostatic 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. Further advances with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the U.S. Air Force are currently being pursued. The development of Homspera and its derivatives is pursuant to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "animal efficacy" rule, which allows an expedited development and approval process. In addition, these compounds are candidates for the Strategic National Stockpile under current BioShield law. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.immuneregen.com.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, 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. The Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including the uncertainties inherent in research collaborations, clinical trials and product development programs, the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures, capital market conditions, and others set forth in the Company's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: W. Jason Grimley Spelling Communications 310-477-9500 jgrimley@spellcom.com
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.CONTACT: W. Jason Grimley of Spelling Communications, +1-310-477-9500,jgrimley@spellcom.com, for ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
Web site: http://www.immuneregen.com/