SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2004--Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD - News) announced today that it has entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Center for Biodefense (NCBD) at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia. Under the agreement, Aethlon and the NCBD will collaborate to develop pathogen and toxin filtration devices designed to protect the lives of U.S. military personnel exposed to infectious agents as a result of biological warfare.
“We look forward to working with Aethlon to advance the Hemopurifier(TM) treatment principle as an important new countermeasure against naturally occurring pathogens and biowarfare agents,” stated Dr. Ken Alibek, executive director for education at the NCBD.
Aethlon and the NCBD will initially focus on advancing filtration devices that remove mediators produced in sepsis and septic shock, as well as treating “Category A” agents that are considered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to be the worst bioterror threats. These agents include the viruses that cause Smallpox, hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, the Anthrax bacteria, and Botulinum toxin. Each treatment device will be based on the same proprietary Hemopurifier(TM) filtration technology that is utilized in advancing Aethlon’s HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis-C treatments.
“Our colleagues at the NCBD are recognized globally for their expertise in combating biowarfare agents,” stated James A. Joyce, Chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical. “This relationship broadens our scientific resources and allows our organizations to jointly pursue business and funding opportunities within the federal government.”
About Aethlon Medical
Aethlon Medical is pioneering the development of viral filtration devices that reduce the presence of infectious disease and toxins in the body. To date, the Company has published pre-clinical results of its Hemopurifier(TM)to treat HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis-C (HCV). The HIV-Hemopurifier removed 55% of HIV from human blood in three hours, and in excess of 85% in twelve hours. The HIV-Hemopurifier also cleared 90% of toxic proteins (gp-120) known to deplete immune cells in one hour. The HCV-Hemopurifier was documented to remove 58% of the Hepatitis-C virus from infected blood in two hours. The Hemopurifier(TM) is a proprietary platform technology that converges the established principles of affinity chromatography and hemodialysis as a means to augment the immune response of clearing viruses and toxins from human blood before cell and organ infection can occur. For additional information, visit the company’s Web site at www.AethlonMedical.com.
About The National Center for Biodefense
The National Center for Biodefense was established at George Mason University in December 2001 to promote awareness of the national and international security challenges and medical and public health threats posed by biological terrorism and biological weapons proliferation. Its scientists are engaged in innovative biomedical research to develop unique approaches and techniques for the prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases and biological threat agents. Through consultation, education and training outreach to government agencies, the scientific community and the general public, the center offers expertise on medical and public health responses to biological terrorism and educates a new generation of researchers to better understand biological weapons threats and how to mitigate them. George Mason University is the second-largest public university in Virginia and serves approximately 28,000 students at three campuses, and offers more than 135 degree programs at undergraduate, masters, doctoral, and professional levels. (www.gmu.edu/centers/biodefense)
Certain of the statements herein may be forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Aethlon Medical, Inc to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to raise capital when needed, the Company’s ability to complete the development of its planned products, the ability of the Company to obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals permitting the sale of its products, the Company’s ability to manufacture its products and provide its services, the impact of government regulations, patent protection on the Company’s proprietary technology, product liability exposure, uncertainty of market acceptance, competition, technological change, and other risk factors. In such instances, actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Contact: Aethlon Medical, Inc. James A. Joyce, 619-368-2000 jj@aethlonmedical.com
Source: Aethlon Medical, Inc.
