ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. Licenses Intellectual Property From University of Pittsburgh to Further Develop Proprietary Compound

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - April 30, 2009) - ImmuneRegen BioSciences®, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR Biosciences Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), is pleased to announce that recent studies utilizing Homspera® confirm the compound stimulates a broad and long-lasting immune response in animals, as well as, provides protection against intracellular pathogens.

Specifically, the active component of Homspera, an agonist of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), among other immunostimulatory activities, promotes the activation and migration of skin dendritic cells (DCs) to lymph nodes to induce functional antigen specific cellular immunity, including CD4+ T-helper 1 cells (Th1) and CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In addition, the NK1R agonist promotes the survival of DCs in vitro and in vivo resulting in prolonged effector immune responses. Together the adjuvant effects of the NK1R agonists are highly desired for effective immunization approaches. These studies were performed in the laboratories of Dr. Adriana Larregina, M.D., Ph.D., research assistant professor in the departments of Dermatology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

ImmuneRegen and the University have negotiated a license agreement that supports ImmuneRegen’s vaccine development program. In this license, ImmuneRegen obtains rights to use Dr. Larregina’s research data as well as a license to the University’s ownership interest in a patent recently filed by ImmuneRegen in support of Homspera’s intellectual property portfolio.

ImmuneRegen is developing Homspera, the NK1R-specific analog of the endogenous neuropeptide Substance P (SP), as a potential vaccine adjuvant. Initial studies by ImmuneRegen have revealed adjuvant activity for Homspera with influenza virus vaccines, resulting in greater antibody responses and corresponding protection from challenges with related viruses. Follow-up studies evaluating different treatment routes and a number of experimental vaccines have confirmed this adjuvant effect of Homspera.

“Substance P has been reported to activate the innate immune system and has been hypothesized to have many roles in the body,” said Hal Siegel, Ph.D., ImmuneRegen Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. “Previous studies of Homspera have shown increased antibody responses to both influenza vaccination and model antigens, but these are the first detailed studies to demonstrate this adjuvant activity extends to aspects of cellular immunity.”

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 and its derivatives. 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. Viprovex®, a derivative of 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.