ST. LOUIS, May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GenoMed, Inc. ("the Company" or "GenoMed") (Pink Sheets: GMED) has already begun to test a possible antidote against the viruses often mentioned as weapons of bioterrorism. These include SARS, bird flu, Hantavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), monkeypox, Ebola virus, West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Eastern Equine encephalitis virus, smallpox, Dengue, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, and polio. The Company is also anxious to try this approach against all lethal viruses, including HIV.
With the Justice Department's announcement today of a possible terrorist attack somewhere in the world this summer, it is important to realize that a viral attack could easily be thwarted using GenoMed's treatment approach, assuming that it continues to prove effective against most viruses.
GenoMed's patent-pending approach, which uses a class of blood pressure pills to gently reduce excessive inflammation by a patient's own immune system, has achieved a 100% response rate so far among 12 patients with an intact immune system who came down with West Nile virus encephalitis, including the first patient to get sick so far this season. GenoMed's treatment still works, although more slowly, even if begun months after the episode of acute encephalitis, when the patient is already paralyzed. It doesn't work at all for patients who are immunosuppressed, e.g. who have organ transplants or leukemia. But it does work for the elderly.
GenoMed's Internet-based, global trial for West Nile virus encephalitis, now in its second year, is available just by clicking on the "West Nile trial" link at GenoMed's home page ( http://www.genomedics.com/ ).
Said Dr. David Moskowitz, Chief Medical & Executive Officer for GenoMed, "Our Company appears to have the ammunition to fight back safely and effectively against most viruses, whether the epidemic is natural or, God forbid, man-made. At this point, faster testing and greater public awareness are key. We invite more collaborators to come forward."
The drugs which GenoMed uses, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), are safe enough to allow for their preventive use, and are available in every corner drug store throughout the world. Most general physicians already use them to treat high blood pressure. Patients with normal or low blood pressure need not worry: at low doses, ARBs have no effect on blood pressure.
About GenoMed
GenoMed, Inc. is a Next Generation Disease Management(TM) company whose mission is to improve public health by identifying the molecular pathways that cause disease. A St. Louis Business Journal article ( http://www.stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2002/05/13/story8.html ) first reported that the company has applied for patents based on its finding that the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with a large number of common diseases including viral and autoimmune diseases. The Company is eager to license its technology to collaborators around the world.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those statements pertaining to GenoMed, Inc.'s (the Company's) treatments. The words or phrases "ought to," "should," "could," "may," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: (a) whether GenoMed's approach will lower morbidity and mortality in all of the viral illnesses mentioned; (b) whether GenoMed's server will hold up to international demand; (c) whether we will have sufficient financing to conduct our research and development; and (d) our research and development being subject to other economic, regulatory, governmental, and technological factors. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.
GenoMed, Inc.CONTACT: David W. Moskowitz MD, FACP, of GenoMed, Inc., +1-314-977-0115,dwmoskowitz@genomedics.com
Web site: http://www.genomedics.com/
