SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: IRBO) announced it recently met with the New York State Office of Public/Homeland Security (NYSOPS), the agency responsible for the detection, identification, response, prevention, and recovery from a terrorist act or threat in New York State.
The meeting served a twofold purpose: To educate the attending state leaders regarding the efficacy of ImmuneRegen’s proprietary compound Radilex(TM), and to alert these officials of the compound’s availability under Project BioShield’s Emergency Use Authorization clause for potential stockpiling as a universal protectant from terrorist attacks. This includes treating acute radiation sickness (ARS) in the event of a nuclear attack and protecting against the effects of chemical warfare agents and biological agents such as anthrax and ricin.
The primary focus of the gathering was on the potential efficacy of Radilex in treating acute radiation sickness. Radilex directly treats the effects of toxic exposure on living cells by inhibiting cell apoptosis (cell- initiated death process). Currently, Radilex is the only drug compound in existence, which has proven a fifty percent (50%) survival rate for subjects exposed to fatal doses of radiation in pre-clinical animal models.
Emergency distribution was also a major topic of discussion. Radilex requires no prophylactic treatment and is administered through a device similar to an asthma inhaler, which simplifies mass treatment. However, as the majority of damage from radiation exposure occurs within hours, having potentially life-saving drugs such as Radilex stockpiled in central locations for immediate distribution after an incident is critical.
Michael Wilhelm, ImmuneRegen CEO, and John Fermanis, ImmuneRegen CFO, met with NYSOPS officials in Albany on January 19, 2005. The officials participating in the meeting included: the Director, NYSOPS; the Deputy Director/Chief Counsel, NYSOPS and the Health Policy Advisor, NYSOPS.
“While the New York State Office of Public Security has not yet committed to including Radilex in the New York emergency stockpile, we are hopeful that after they have concluded their review of our seven completed studies, they will agree that Radilex would be a wise investment of the funds allocated to the state by the Federal Government under Homeland Security and Project BioShield,” says Michael K. Wilhelm, CEO of ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
In addition, during the final week of January the ImmuneRegen team met with several congressional leaders responsible for legislation relating to Homeland Security. A number of these individuals hold positions on committees involved in national security. ImmuneRegen is currently working with their congressional staff to pursue further advances under Project BioShield.
Mr. Wilhelm further clarified the function of these January meetings: “We believe it is vital for the state and federal officials charged with the task of Homeland Security to know that Radilex is available for stockpiling and ready to be utilized under the Emergency Use Authorization clause found in Project BioShield.”
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc, is a biotechnology company engaged in the research and development of applications utilizing modified substance P, a naturally occurring immunomodulator. Derived from homeostatic substance P, the company has named their proprietary compound Homspera(TM). The company’s initial focus is on the continuing development of Homspera for various applications for use in improving pulmonary function and stimulating the human immune system. For more information, please visit the company’s website at http://www.immuneregen.com/.
About Radilex(TM)
Radilex, the brand name of Homspera, is a treatment for the negative effects of radiation, anthrax, ricin poisoning, and other poisonous inhalants. Testing has shown a significant survival rate of radiation exposure at a 7.75 gray level, which is a lethal dosage. Radilex was derived from discoveries made during research funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the early 1990s. During this research, Dr. Mark L. Witten and his associates observed that the exposure to jet fuels resulted in pathological changes in the lung and immune systems of those exposed. It was also observed that such exposure resulted in depletion of substance P from the lungs. These studies further showed that the administration of substance P might help prevent and reverse the effects of jet fuel exposure in the lungs, as well as protect and regenerate the immune system.
About The New York State Office Of Public Security
The New York State Office Of Public Security was created by Governor George Pataki on October 10th, 2001, in direct response to the September 11th terrorist attacks. It is a cabinet level office and reports directly to the Governor. The Director has full authority and responsibility to implement the Office mission overseeing, coordinating, and directing State resources related to the detection, identification, response, prevention, and recovery from a terrorist act or threat in New York State.
The Office coordinates with all agencies and resources of state government on matters relating to terrorism prevention, response, and recovery. These resources include the Division of the State Police, Division of Naval and Military Affairs, State Emergency Management Office, Department of Health, Department of Environmental conservation, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of State, Office of Technology, and the Department of Transportation. The Office is New York State’s Primary contact with the national Office of Homeland Security. Maximum preparedness for a possible terrorist act or threat will be the result of this coordination strategy and effort.
The Office is charged with coordinating and enhancing anti-terrorist efforts in the State of New York, specifically with developing a comprehensive statewide strategy to detect, protect against, respond to, and prevent cowardly and murderous acts of terrorism.
The Office coordinates with all agencies of the State government on matters relating to terrorism prevention, response and recovery. Acts of terrorism pose a threat to the people of New York State that cannot and will not be tolerated in our free society. Because the first and paramount obligation of government is to protect the public from crime and other dangers, efficient detection, identification, and prevention of terrorist acts and threats is essential.
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, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information please contact W. Jason Grimley of Spelling Communications, +1-310-477-9500, jgrimley@spellcom.com, for ImmuneRegen BioSciences.
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/