
SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - January 05, 2010) - ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc.®, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR Biosciences Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), today announced additional positive results from a recent study that evaluated its lead anti-influenza drug, Homspera®, in ferrets. Performed at a public University under the guidance of a world-renowned influenza expert, the study utilized a 'real-world' scenario of highly pathogenic influenza infection by a clade 2.2 H5N1 virus (A/Whooperswan/Mongolia/244/2005), and drug treatment beginning one day following influenza infection, coinciding with emergence of the first symptoms. These newly obtained data reveal Homspera treatment resulted in a decrease in viral titers (concentration of virus particles) at 5 days post-infection, indicative of an anti-viral effect of Homspera. Previously reported findings from this study revealed that Homspera treatment starting 1 day following influenza infection dramatically reduced symptoms of influenza infection and increased survival by 60% over infected controls.
"These new findings are exciting," stated ImmuneRegen Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer Hal Siegel. "The reduction in viral titers in the Homspera-treated animals complements the reductions in symptom severity and increases in survival we announced previously and provides credence to the anti-viral mechanism of action of Homspera we've hypothesized. We previously showed reductions in nasal virus titer in cotton rats infected with seasonal influenza, and inhibition of the lung damage in mice and rats as is typically seen in influenza infection. These data from highly pathogenic influenza virus infection in ferrets provide further support that Homspera treatment reduces viral titers and improves recovery and survival in models of influenza infection. We are focused on ways to aggressively advance this program toward 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® 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 the Company's future expectations, including statements
about the potential use and scientific results 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
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-Q for the
three months ended September 30, 2009 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2008 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.
Contact:
Michael K. Wilhelm OR John Fermanis
ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc.
Phone: 480-922-3926
Email: Email Contact
Email: Email Contact