AZUSA, Calif., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The results of Viral Genetics’ recent AIDS study of VGV-1 in South Africa will be presented at the Institute of Human Virology’s (IHV) 2006 Annual International Meeting on November 17 in Baltimore, Maryland. The poster presentation focuses on the reduction of HIV viral load observed in a subset of patients after treatment with VGV-1 versus patients receiving placebo.
Viral Genetics’ VGV-1 is a suspension of thymus nuclear protein that has been tested in several studies in HIV infected individuals. As previously reported, the 137-patient study showed statistically significant antiviral effects in treated subjects vs. placebo 100 days after the completion of dosing. As reported in the Company’s poster presentation at the recent XVI International AIDS Conference, VGV-1 treated subjects also demonstrated apparent beneficial immunological changes when compared with placebo.
Results indicate statistically significant antiviral activity in some patients, no serious adverse events observed in relation to VGV-1, and a mechanism of action that may be markedly different than existing HIV therapies. Conclusions of the study also state that bioactivity of VGV-1 was confirmed.
Viral Genetics’ next plans are to further determine the product’s optimal dosing and to elucidate its mechanism of action.
Additional results and study data are available by request at info@viralgenetics.com. The poster will be made available on the company’s website following the conference.
The World Health Organization estimates approximately 40 million people are now living with HIV. Even with the available treatments for AIDS, there are large numbers of people that need alternative therapies and hope remains that progress will be made in discovering new therapies that bolster patients’ immune systems.
The 10th Anniversary of The Institute of Human Virology International Meeting has grown into one of the worlds leading HIV/AIDS conferences. Founded in 1996, IHV has positioned itself as one of the world’s premier research and development facilities.
About VGV-1
VGV-1 is a therapy based on thymus nuclear protein which is extracted from bovine thymus tissue. As a type of immune-based therapy, it focuses on boosting the immune system to allow the body to fight HIV more efficiently. Discovered and developed by both Dr. Harry Zhabilov Sr. and Harry Zhabilov Jr., thymus nuclear protein technology has been studied in five human clinical trials for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS.
About Viral Genetics
Viral Genetics, Inc. is a biotechnology company that discovers and develops immune-based therapies for HIV and AIDS using its thymus nuclear protein compound. This compound may have other potential applications for other infectious, autoimmune, and immunological deficiency diseases that the company intends to study in the future. Viral Genetics believes that VGV-1 represents a significant and unique approach to treating HIV due to the apparently novel mechanism, low toxicity profile, simple dosing regimen, and short-course of treatment. Online at www.viralgenetics.com
For additional information, please contact Kirsten Ayars at 805-452-7909. For investor inquiries, please contact Evan Pondel at 310-279-5973.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties associated with clinical development, regulatory approvals, and other risks described by Viral Genetics, Inc. from time to time in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. VGV-1 is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or by any comparable regulatory agencies elsewhere in the world. While Viral Genetics believes that the forward-looking statements and underlying assumptions contained therein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, including, but not limited to, the ability of Viral Genetics to establish the efficacy of VGV-1 in the treatment of any disease or health condition and the development of studies and strategies leading to commercialization of VGV-1 in the United States. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Viral Genetics or any other person that the objectives and plans of Viral Genetics will be achieved.
Viral Genetics, Inc.
CONTACT: Kirsten Ayars, +1-805-452-7909; or Investors, Evan Pondel, +1-310-279-5973, both for Viral Genetics, Inc.
Web site: http://www.viralgenetics.com/
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