WORCESTER, Mass. and TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Generex Biotechnology Corporation (www.generex.com) (OTCBB: GNBT) today responded to a recent article posted to the Seeking Alpha website (http://seekingalpha.com/article/2533015-with-ebola-looming-when-will-the-defense-department-get-around-to-generex) regarding the need for an Ebola vaccine and the importance of providing funding for small companies with technologies applicable to such an endeavor. Generex is the parent company of Antigen Express, Inc. (www.antigenexpress.com), which focuses on the development of synthetic peptide vaccines for significant unmet medical needs.
Antigen Express has previously published its work on the development of a vaccine for potentially pandemic viruses such as the H5N1 (avian flu) and H1N1 (swine flu) influenza strains. The advantage of the technology is that it entails entirely synthetic production methods, which are rapid, cost effective, and flexible. The vaccine is produced using a small fragment derived from a target protein modified to ensure activation of CD4+ T helper cells. This cell type is critical in the generation of an effective immune response to a novel agent.
There are currently a number of vaccines in development for Ebola, though none have yet been approved. Some of these require repeated administration to obtain some level of protection in animal models, in contrast to the influenza virus vaccines. Early efforts to generate a protective antibody response against Ebola clearly showed the importance of CD4+ T cells. The need for continued or repeated immunization is a good indication of the need for a stronger CD4+ T cell response, as specific activation of this cell type is associated both with immunological memory as well as a robust early response to immunization.
Antigen Express remains committed to its belief that a synthetic vaccine technology is a crucial component of a government’s preparedness arsenal for outbreaks of agents with high pathogenicity such as Ebola or the emergence of other potentially pandemic agents. Toward that goal, the Company is exploring opportunities for application of Antigen Express technology in the development of an effective Ebola vaccine.
About Generex Biotechnology Corporation
Generex is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drug delivery systems and technologies. Generex has developed a proprietary platform technology for the delivery of drugs into the human body through the oral cavity (with no deposit in the lungs). The Company’s proprietary liquid formulations allow drugs typically administered by injection to be absorbed into the body by the lining of the inner mouth using the Company’s proprietary RapidMist device. Antigen Express, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Generex. The core platform technologies of Antigen Express comprise immunotherapeutic vaccines for the treatment of malignant, infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. Antigen Express has pioneered the use of specific CD4+ T-helper stimulation technologies in immunotherapy. One focuses on modification of peptides with Ii-Key to increase potency, while a second relies on inhibition of expression of the Ii protein. Antigen Express scientists, and others, have shown clearly that suppression of expression of the Ii protein in cancer cells allows for potent stimulation of T-helper cells and prevents the further growth of cancer cells. For more information, visit the Generex website at www.generex.com or the Antigen Express website at www.antigenexpress.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release and oral statements made from time to time by Generex representatives in respect of the same subject matter may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as “expects,” “plan,” “believes,” “will,” “achieve,” “anticipate,” “would,” “should,” “subject to” or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in discussing potential product applications, potential collaborations, product development activities, clinical studies, regulatory submissions and approvals, and similar operating matters. Many factors may cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Generex with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered together with any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue reliance on such statements. Generex undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Generex cannot be sure when or if it will be permitted by regulatory agencies to undertake additional clinical trials or to commence any particular phase of clinical trials. Because of this, statements regarding the expected timing of clinical trials or ultimate regulatory approval cannot be regarded as actual predictions of when Generex will obtain regulatory approval for any “phase” of clinical trials or when it will obtain ultimate regulatory approval by a particular regulatory agency. Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements that is contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.
SOURCE Generex Biotechnology Corporation
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