SAN DIEGO, June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it gave an oral presentation describing broad antiviral activity for Thiovir(TM) at the 14th International Symposium on HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ISHEID) program. The presentation entitled "Thiovir exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human and avian influenza, human immunodeficiency, and herpes simplex viruses" was delivered by Shani Waninger, Ph.D., associate director for research and development for ADVENTRX on Thursday, June 22 in the "new antiretroviral drugs" plenary session. The conference takes place at the International Convention Center in Toulon, France, June 21-23, 2006.
Results presented at the conference were from preclinical studies demonstrating Thiovir activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2 and against complex NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) and NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor)-resistant virus, as determined by viral antigen and indicator cell assays for HIV infection. HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral infection was reduced with micro-molar concentrations of Thiovir. Additional studies using Thiovir with zidovudine (AZT) showed synergistic activity against HIV strains, but without synergistic toxicity in human cells. Furthermore, Thiovir re-sensitized zidovudine-resistant HIV strains to zidovudine, a finding that has potential important clinical implications.
In preclinical tests with influenza virus, Thiovir demonstrated antiviral activity against multiple subtypes of influenza B and influenza A, including a hybrid H5N1 avian influenza virus. These studies were conducted using tests measuring specific influenza virus antigen. Thiovir was also found to be active in micro-molar concentrations against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 in preclinical testing as measured by virus infection assays in human cell lines.
"These results demonstrate Thiovir's antiviral activity against a variety of important human viruses in a preclinical setting," said Evan M. Levine, ADVENTRX president and CEO. "We plan to further study the antiviral efficacy of Thiovir in additional preclinical tests with multiple viruses to support Thiovir's anticipated clinical development."
ADVENTRX currently plans to file an investigational new drug application (IND) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial using Thiovir to treat HIV/AIDS. In addition, the Company is currently investigating development options for Thiovir to treat herpes infections and as a potential treatment for avian influenza.
About Thiovir
Thiovir is a broad spectrum antiviral drug that has been shown in preclinical tests to inhibit HIV, influenza A and herpes viruses. Thiovir is a pyrophosphate analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor designed for oral delivery as a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV/AIDS. Thiovir is a prodrug for foscarnet that delivers both the active drug TPFA (thiophosphonoformate) and the active metabolite PFA (foscarnet).
About ADVENTRX
ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical research and development company focused on introducing treatments for cancer and infectious disease that surpass the performance and safety of existing drugs, by addressing significant problems such as drug metabolism, toxicity, bioavailability and resistance. More information can be found on the Company's Web site at www.adventrx.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding ADVENTRX. Such statements are made based on management's current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may vary from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors, including uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, the timing and success of clinical trials, the validity of research results, and the receipt of necessary approvals from the FDA and other regulatory agencies. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements regarding ADVENTRX, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in ADVENTRX's last annual report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other reports that ADVENTRX files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements regarding ADVENTRX are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. ADVENTRX undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances which occur after the date hereof.
ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.CONTACT: Andrea Lynn of ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, +1-858-552-0866
Web site: http://www.adventrx.com//
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/920134.html/
