SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Research and development biotechnology company ImmuneRegen BioSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: IRBO) , announced today that it has submitted its final response to an invitation to participate in the Canadian Defense Ministry's "Universal Protectants Proposal." The goal of this program is to find a "universal" treatment for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, such as Anthrax or dirty bombs. The Proposal is under the auspices of the Ottawa and Suffield provencial branches of the Canadian Defense Ministry's R & D program, The CBRN Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI).
"We believe Radilex to be one of the best universal protectant candidates available against CBRN attacks, since our methods of action do not simply neutralize the attacking agent, but actually increase immune system activity, thereby allowing the body's own immune system to attack and overcome the CBRN agent," commented Dr. Mark Witten, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ImmuneRegen Biosciences, Inc. "We believe it is crucial in the war on terrorism that Radilex be utilized as a possible treatment for anthrax exposure in emergency events such as the recent detection of anthrax in the Pentagon mail facility on March 14."
On March 11 ImmuneRegen submitted a formal proposal for inclusion in the Universal Protectants Proposal respective to the Company's compound Radilex(TM), currently in development for treating the negative and possibly deadly effects of:
* Anthrax * Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS) * Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) * Ricin poisoning * Other poisonous inhalants
Recent testing of Radilex using Total Body Irradiation (TBI) showed a 100% survival rate among irradiated mice treated with Radilex Post Lethal Exposure (PLE). ImmuneRegen also recently responded to a Request for Information (RFI) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regarding potential therapeutics for the treatment for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).
About The Universal Protectants Proposal
The Canadian proposal is a multifaceted approach to potential medical emergency response targeting rapid development and procurement of new medical countermeasure strategies against nuclear (N) and radiological (R) threats and biological (B) and chemical (C) agents. The scope of this project, in collaboration with US partners, is to independently assess a number of novel therapeutic/prophylactic agents for their universal protective potential against CBRN exposures. ImmuneRegen BioSciences has begun preparations to produce Radilex on a large scale should such potential purchases of the compound occur. The Company's current production of Radilex is manufactured under GMP standards.
About Dr. Mark Witten, CSO & Co-Founder of ImmuneRegen BioSciences
The laboratory under Dr. Witten's direction is considered to be one of the world's foremost research centers for developing treatments for ARDS. Dr. Witten has been working on ARDS related protocols for 20 years, with the last nine years of testing being centered around the proprietary compound, homeostatic substance P. ImmuneRegen has named the compound "Homspera(TM)," which is also branded as Radilex when applied to toxic radiation exposure.
About Radilex(TM)
ImmuneRegen's substance Radilex(TM) is a treatment currently in development for the negative effects of radiation, anthrax, ricin poisoning and other poisonous inhalants. Testing has shown a survival rate of radiation exposure at a 7.75 gray level, which is a lethal dosage. Radilex(TM) was derived from discoveries made during research funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the early 1990s. During this research, Dr. Witten and his associates observed that the exposure to jet fuels resulted in pathological changes in the lung and immune systems of those exposed. It was also observed that such exposure resulted in depletion of substance P from the lungs. These studies further showed that the administration of substance P might help prevent and reverse the effects of jet fuel exposure in the lungs, as well as protect and regenerate the immune system.
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc., is a biotechnology company engaged in the research and development of applications utilizing modified substance P, a naturally occurring immunomodulator. Derived from homeostatic substance P, the company has named their compound "Homspera(TM)." The company's initial focus has been on the continuing development of Homspera for various applications for use in improving pulmonary function and stimulating the human immune system. The Homspera compound is also being developed as a therapeutic treatment with various other applications including radiation sickness (Radilex(TM)) and viral infection/biological warfare (Viprovex(TM)). For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.immuneregen.com/.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, 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. 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 collaborations, clinical trials and product development programs, the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures, capital market conditions, and others set forth in the Company's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.CONTACT: W. Jason Grimley, jgrimley@spellcom.com, or Dan Spelling, bothof Spelling Communications, +1-310-477-9500, for ImmuneRegen BioSciences,Inc.
Web site: http://www.immuneregen.com/