SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. , will partner with Singapore’s Defense Medical & Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, to launch a Pilot Study on Acute Melioidosis. The study will investigate the therapeutic effects of ImmuneRegen’s proprietary compound Viprovex(TM) on acute melioidosis. This murine model study will run from October 2006 to May 2007. The company hopes that study results will lead to further infectious disease studies with DSO.
Melioidosis, also called Whitmore’s disease, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is endemic to Southeast Asia. Burkholderia pseudomallei along with the related agent Burkholderia mallei, the causative agent of glanders, can be transmitted from animals to man as well as from person to person. 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.
The bacteria causing melioidosis can be found in contaminated water and soil and is spread to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source. There is currently no vaccine for either melioidosis or glanders.
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.
About Viprovex
Viprovex is the trade name used in referring to formulations of Homspera for potential indications for treatment of maladies caused by exposure to various chemical and biological agents. Homspera is a generic name used by the Company to describe the synthetic peptide Sar9, Met (O2)11-Substance P. Sar9, Met (O2)11-Substance P is 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 both Homspera and Viprovex have only undergone exploratory studies to evaluate their 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 modified 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 http://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 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, capital market conditions, and others set forth in the Company’s periodic report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2006 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: W. Jason Grimley Senior Account Executive Spelling Communications 2211 Corinth Ave, 210 Los Angeles CA, 90064 310-477-9500 310-477-9530 - Fax jgrimley@spellcom.com
ImmuneRegen BioSciences
CONTACT: W. Jason Grimley, Senior Account Executive of SpellingCommunications, +1-310-477-9500, or fax, +1-310-477-9530,jgrimley@spellcom.com, for ImmuneRegen BioSciences
Web site: http://www.immuneregen.com/
