RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Receives Israeli Patent Acceptance Notice For The Use Of TB4 To Prevent Tissue Damage Associated With Heart Attack And Stroke Treatments

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX)("the Company" or "RegeneRx") today announced that it has received a patent acceptance notice from the Israeli patent office with claims for administering Thymosin beta 4 (TB4) to prevent or reduce tissue damage caused by an increase in blood flow, as is often the case when cardiac vessels are opened after a blockage causing a heart attack or in similar circumstances when treating stroke victims.

Damage can be caused to the heart attack or stroke patient when doctors open the vessel to restore blood flow to the tissue.  This increased blood flow is commonly attained using medical devices such as stents, drugs known as "clot busters," and by cardiac bypass and neuro surgeries.  However, the rapid onrush of oxygen-rich blood to the damaged tissue can cause a phenomenon known as "reperfusion injury," which further damages the tissue by causing sudden inflammation, destroying cell membranes and DNA, and by releasing free radicals.  TB4 has been shown in numerous scientific publications to prevent, reduce and/or repair such damage.  The subject patent includes claims using Thymosin beta 4, its various fragments and analogues, and expires in 2026.

About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.regenerx.com)

RegeneRx is focused on the development of a novel therapeutic peptide, Thymosin beta 4, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration. RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac and dermal indications, three active strategic licensing agreements in China, Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others) and the U.S., and has an extensive worldwide patent portfolio covering its products. RGN-259, the Company's TB4-based ophthalmic drug candidate, has been designated an orphan drug for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), which is a primary focus of RegeneRx's clinical development efforts in the U.S.  RegeneRx was recently allowed by the FDA to move into Phase III clinical trials with RGN-259 for the treatment of patients with NK.  RGN-352, the Company's TB4-based injectable, is a Phase 2-ready drug candidate designed to be administered systemically to prevent and restore tissue damage associated with acute events such as heart attacks, strokes, and other similar traumatic injuries.  For additional information about RegeneRx please visit www.regenerx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  There can be no assurance that any issued patents or licenses held by the Company or patent applications filed by the Company in the U.S. or any other country will result in future value.  There can also be no assurance that any of the Company's drug candidates will result in any approved products in the U.S. or any other country.  Please view these and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings it makes with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements in this press release represent the Company's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update this information, as a result of future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.