SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. , announced today that it has completed the initial shipment of its proprietary compound Viprovex(TM) to Singapore’s Defense Medical & Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories (“DSO”), for use in a Pilot Study on Acute Melioidosis. Also called Whitmore’s disease, melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, and is endemic to Southeast Asia. The study to investigate the therapeutic effects of Viprovex(TM) on acute melioidosis is funded by DSO and is expected to be completed during the third quarter of this year.
Melioidosis is quite common in Southeast Asia, with the greatest concentration of cases reported in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), and northern Australia. Additionally, it is seen in the South Pacific, Africa, India, and the Middle East. The causative agent, Burkholderia pseudomallei along with the related Burkholderia mallei, the causative agent of glanders, can be transmitted from animals to man as well as from person to person. The bacteria can be found in contaminated water and soil and is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source. Mortality rate for melioidosis varies and is as high as 90% particularly when the bacteria is aerosolized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers both as potential agents for biological warfare and biological terrorism and there is currently no vaccine for either melioidosis or glanders.
“We are pleased that a prestigious entity such as the DSO has selected our compound to test against this highly infectious disease,” said ImmuneRegen’s CEO Michael Wilhelm. “We recognize that melioidosis currently represents a significant health threat on the Asian continent, as reflected by the high mortality rates associated with the disease and has the potential to be used as an agent by terrorist organizations.” These studies augment the ongoing research being conducted by ImmuneRegen on so-called “Threats of the 21st Century” which include radioactive contamination, anthrax, pandemic influenza and chemical contamination, areas in which ImmuneRegen’s Radilex and Viprovex hold promise of possible effectiveness in ameliorating morbidity and mortality in small animal studies.
About Radilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM)
Radilex is the trade name used in referring to formulations of Homspera for potential indications for treatment of exposure to ionizing radiation. Viprovex is the trade name used in referring to formulations of Homspera for potential indications for treatment of viral and bacterial infections. Homspera is a generic name used by the Company to describe the synthetic peptide Sar9, Met (O2)11-Substance P, an analog of the naturally occurring human neuropeptide Substance P, which can be found throughout the body, including in the airways of humans and many other species. All of the Company’s research and development efforts are early, pre-clinical stage and Homspera, as Viprovex and Radilex, has only undergone exploratory studies to evaluate its biological activity in small animals.
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
IR BioSciences Holdings Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., is a development stage biotechnology company focused on the research and development of Homspera(TM) and its derivatives Radilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM), which are designed to be used as countermeasures for multiple homeland security bioterrorism threats. Homspera is derived from Substance P, a naturally occurring peptide immunomodulator and homeostatic compound with the dual effect of improving pulmonary function and the stimulation of the human immune system. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.immuneregen.com.
Statements about the Company’s future expectations, including statements about the potential for the Company’s drug candidates, science and technology, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and, together with the Company’s business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including the fact that preliminary results involved only a small number of test mice, the subsequent investigations were limited in scope, the uncertainties inherent in research and development collaborations, pre-clinical and clinical trials and product development programs, (including, but not limited to the fact that future results or research and development efforts may prove less encouraging than current results or cause side effects not observed in current pre-clinical trials) the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures and monies available for further studies, capital market conditions, and others set forth in the Company’s periodic report on Form 10-QSB for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and on Form 10-KSB for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees that any of the Company’s proposed products will prove to be commercially successful. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
MEDIA CONTACT: W. Jason Grimley Spelling Communications 310-477-9500 jgrimley@spellcom.com INVESTOR CONTACT: Josh Reynolds CEOcast, Inc. 212-732-4300 jreynolds@ceocast.com
IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: Media, W. Jason Grimley of Spelling Communications,+1-310-477-9500, jgrimley@spellcom.com, for IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc.;or Investors, Josh Reynolds of CEOcast, Inc., +1-212-732-4300,jreynolds@ceocast.com, for IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc.
Web site: http://www.immuneregen.com/
