News ImmuneRegen NewsMay 7, 2007 7:00 AM ET IR BioSciences Announces Promising Data from Study of Its Compound Homspera Related informationData Suggests Homspera Shows Promise As an Adjuvant for Vaccines against Avian Flu and Other Viruses SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: IRBO) announced today that preliminary data from its influenza vaccine adjuvant study being performed in conjunction with GenPhar Inc. indicates Homspera elevates host immune responsiveness above that induced by vaccine alone system. These results are from an ongoing study, and are a strong indication that Homspera may demonstrate adjuvant capabilities, and thus be capable of augmenting host immune system responsiveness to vaccines for diseases such as pandemic avian influenza, seasonal influenza, and perhaps others for which vaccines exist or are under development. Adjuvants are common additions to vaccine formulations, as they enable the vaccine to induce a strong immune reaction in vaccinated individuals, helping to ensure adequate immunological protection. The Homspera studies, being carried out by GenPhar, examine the impact of vaccination with pieces of influenza viruses (a current H5N1 "avian influenza" strain and from the 1918 Spanish Influenza virus). A fear of many scientists and public health officials is that the current avian influenza endemic to Southeast Asia may mutate sufficiently to become more easily transmitted among humans, yet maintain its highly pathogenic nature. Such an event, centered on the virus currently exhibiting mortality in infected humans of approximately 50%, can trigger a rapid global spread of highly pathogenic virus with disastrous consequences. Vaccines against avian influenza are not available in volumes needed to inoculate a significant percentage of the world's population. Similarly, the most effective prophylactic or therapeutic drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu(R), Roche), is reportedly not being stockpiled in amounts adequate to provide protection to the at-risk population. As the World Health Organization notes, when the next pandemic virus strain emerges, it could circle the globe in three months and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Subsequent waves of virus spread would add to the economic and social dislocation. Whatever drugs or vaccines are available at the start of the pandemic must be sufficient to vaccinate or treat the maximum number of people within weeks or at most, a few months. Adjuvants provide the capability to maximize the number of individuals who can be treated with a limited amount of vaccine. In conjunction with Homspera's previously reported capability to decrease influenza viral titers and symptoms in the cotton rat model of influenza, the adjuvant capability makes Homspera a highly desirable candidate product for use in influenza. ImmuneRegen BioSciences will continue to explore this capability of its Homspera compound.
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc., (OTC BB:IRBS.OB - News) 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-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 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. Contact: or
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