March 20, 2011 -- Immune Network Ltd. (IMMFF:PK), is proud to announce that Immunitor co-organized and participated in an international scientific workshop dedicated to “NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN MEDICINE AND EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY” (IW+SDC’11) held this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Co-organized by Russian Academy of Sciences and biotechnology companies this invitation-only conference focuses on lab-to-product strategies for the most advanced and original biomedical projects developed in Russia and former Soviet Union countries. “This is one of most exciting think-tank gatherings during which latest ideas and inventions are scrutinized and investments prioritized” said Immunitor’s executive Dr. Aldar Bourinbaiar. We are extremely privileged and honored to be invited. Our recent break-through in immunotherapy of tuberculosis has attracted significant interest in CIS countries, which are among high burden TB countries”, he added.
During the conference, the finalized results from imm01 clinical trial in Ukraine were presented, which compared the outcome of V5 immunotherapy to placebo among treatment refractory tuberculosis cases including re-treated TB, multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) and TB and HIV co-infection. The interim results of this study were published recently in peer-reviewed journals. Presented data provided further evidence of the beneficial effect of V5 in tuberculosis patients. Once-per-day pill of V5 was safe and did not produce adverse effects or reactivation of TB. Concurrent administration of V5 either with 1st- or 2nd-line TB drugs resulted in rapid clearance of M. tuberculosis in sputum smears. Sputum conversion occurred very quickly – only one month of treatment was needed. No difference was seen when “regular” easy-to-treat TB was compared to re-treated TB, MDR-TB or HIV-TB – the proportion of converted patients and time to conversion were identical, regardless whether 1st- or 2nd-line TB drugs were used. Administration of V5 produced other statistically significant clinical benefits. V5 reversed TB-associated wasting; eliminated fever; and had shown marked anti-inflammatory effect: erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocyte counts reverted back to within normal range. In addition to the anti-tubercular and beneficial clinical effects, Immunitor’s V5 immunomodulator is also shown to reduce the hepatotoxicity induced by TB chemotherapy. The serious adverse effects of TB drugs have important negative consequences on treatment options, not only damaging the liver, but also decreasing the willingness of patients to comply with their TB regimen, causing drug-resistance.
At the conference in Copacabana beach the initial roadmap has been established that would allow Immunitor to initiate independent clinical trials at multiple sites in Russia. Negotiations are now underway regarding clinical protocol and ethics approval for the trial that will be initiated later this year.
Also during the conference, participants were invited to visit The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Portuguese Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, also known as FIOCRUZ) – the main biomedical institution in Brazil. The FIOCRUZ meeting resulted in the exchange of ideas and business opportunities that will be explored further as mutually beneficial to all involved parties.
After AIDS, tuberculosis is the second most common cause of death from an infectious disease, with approximately 1.7 million people dying each year, and 9 million individual acquiring new infections. Current treatments are not fully effective, particularly against multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and HIV-TB and strenuous treatment regimens lasting for up to 2 years are required. “Immunitor’s approach has the potential to address current challenges – offering shorter and safer treatment solution. V5 is inexpensive; easy to administer; does not require refrigeration; and is made from readily available sources, which suits ideally BRIC countries which include Brazil, Russia, India and China, where TB is rampant and patients are often too poor to afford expensive 2nd line TB drugs” said Vichai Jirathitikal, co-founder and co-inventor of Immunitor oral vaccine platform.
For additional information about Immunitor company, please visit www.immunitor.com. The website for Immune Network is at http://www.immune-network.com.
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The information in this release, other than historical information, may be considered forward-looking statements within the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Projection and other forward-looking statements and management expectations regarding future events and/or financial performance of the Company -- although given in good faith -- are inherently uncertain and actual events and/or results may differ materially.
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