ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. Drug Candidate Homspera Confirms Efficacy as Cancer Vaccine Adjuvant

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - December 14, 2009) - ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc.®, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR Biosciences Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), today announced that treatment with its lead compound, Homspera, revealed that Homspera improved the efficacy of a novel cancer vaccine which significantly reduced tumor growth and greatly improved long-term survival in an animal model of skin cancer. These are the latest findings supporting the vaccine adjuvant capability of Homspera, and extend to the cancer vaccine space in addition to previously shown efficacy of Homspera in infectious disease models such as influenza.

The study was performed at the University of Pittsburgh under the guidance of Dr. Adriana Larregina, Research Assistant Professor in the departments of Dermatology and Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The results of the study showed Homspera augmented a poorly effective vaccine against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, into a highly effective vaccine. The addition of Homspera as an adjuvant to this vaccine resulted in an increased immune response, significantly (p < 0.01) reducing the size of tumors by approximately 85% after 3 weeks, and increasing the percentage of animals surviving from 0% to 50% after 100 days (the end of the study period). Enhanced immune responses, specifically the cellular immune component, could be critical to the successful prevention and/or treatment of most cancers. Since the completion of the studies Dr. Larregina has joined ImmuneRegen’s Scientific Advisory Board.

ImmuneRegen’s Chief Scientific Officer, Hal Siegel, Ph.D., noted, “We have previously shown a wide range of activity for Homspera, from human hematopoietic stem cell activation and maturation, to acceleration of wound healing, stand-alone treatment of pandemic influenza infection and vaccine adjuvant activity. A common thread in our studies is the stimulation of immune cell function. In light of the prior results from Dr. Larregina’s lab on dendritic cell stimulation and enhanced immune response following Homspera, these tumor-directed activities provide a strong basis to look in humans at the impact of Homspera on immune function and perhaps cancer suppression. Our focus is now on proceeding to the clinic.”

About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.

ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development and licensing of Homspera®. Homspera is an adult stem cell active compound that in study results has been shown to regenerate and strengthen the immune system and enhance wound healing. Homspera is being developed for potential use against infectious diseases as a stand-alone or combination therapy and as a vaccine adjuvant. To advance its mission, the Scottsdale, Arizona based company has forged numerous study partnerships with industry and academic leaders, including Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, HemoGenix, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and Virion Systems. For more information, please visit www.immuneregen.com.

Statements about ImmuneRegen’s future expectations, including statements about the potential use and scientific results for ImmuneRegen’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. ImmuneRegen 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 ImmuneRegen’s business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. ImmuneRegen’s actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including 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 ImmuneRegen’s periodic report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees that any of ImmuneRegen’s proposed products will prove to be commercially successful. ImmuneRegen undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.