LAVAL, April 5 /PRNewswire/ - REPLICor's lead compound, REP 9, has been shown to have potent antiviral activity against avian H5N1 influenza virus. The influenza virus used in the study was A/Vietnam/1203/04, a human pathogenic avian influenza isolated from a fatally infected patient. This virus is highly aggressive and replicates much more rapidly than normal strains of the influenza virus.
This initial demonstration of REP 9 in vitro activity against H5N1 was generated in collaboration with Dr. Michael Holbrook at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in their level 4 biosafety facility.
REP 9 has also recently been shown to have potent antiviral activity against influenza virus strains which are resistant to the action of Tamiflu(TM) and Relenza(TM). Both drugs are currently marketed for the therapy of influenza infections. These in vitro results where generated in collaboration with Dr. Bruno Lina from the Centre National de Reference des Virus Influenza, Lyon, France.
In previous studies, aerosol administered REP 9 was shown to prevent the spread of influenza in mice. Additional tissue culture studies have shown that REP 9 has potent antiviral activity in 20 strains of influenza A and B, demonstrating its potential application against emergent flu viruses.
REP 9's mode of action is distinct from traditional neuraminidase inhibitors. REP 9 inhibits both neuraminidase and hemagglutinin, two viral proteins essential for replication.
Novel influenza drugs are essential to prepare for the next influenza pandemic. Such drugs could protect the population in the event of a pandemic prior to the production of an effective vaccine. REP 9 is easily produced in large quantities and could be an effective tool in the global response to the next influenza pandemic.
REPLICor will present these data at BIO 2006 Business Forum and Innovation Corridor in Chicago (April 9-12).
About REPLICor
REPLICor Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel broad- spectrum antiviral drugs. Its lead compound, REP 9, is active against 12 viral families including influenza, hepatitis B and C, HIV, RSV and herpes. The company's business strategy is to enter into an alliance with a major pharmaceutical company to further develop and market its technology.
Information: Michel Bazinet, MD, CEO, (450) 688-6068, mbazinet@replicor.com, www.replicor.com
REPLICORCONTACT: Michel Bazinet, MD, CEO, (450) 688-6068, mbazinet@replicor.com;www.replicor.com