PHILADELPHIA, May 17, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of its expanding international program Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex:HEB), (the “Company”), announced an agreement with Fountain Medical Development Ltd., a leading Chinese clinical research organization (CRO) to prepare, file and gain approval from the authorities in China to conduct a study of Ampligen, an investigational therapeutic. Ampligen® is a member of a new class of antivirals/ immuno-potentiators with broad spectrum therapeutic properties. Hemispherx plans to investigate the experimental therapeutic for potential treatment of seriously ill hospitalized flu patients, many with underlying respiratory conditions. The proposed study will determine the extent to which their clinical parameters return to normal more rapidly with potential shortening of their hospital stay relative to patients treated only with placebo plus the existing “standards of care”. Hemispherx has engaged Fountain with a plan to initiate this study during next year’s flu season in various parts of China.
