ImmuneRegen NewsWednesday April 16, 6:30 am ET ImmuneRegen Releases Results from UMDNJ Study Confirming Homspera's Adult Stem Cell ActivityTests on Human Bone Marrow by World Leader in Stem Cell Research Show Boost in Production of Blood Cell Precursors SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ImmuneRegen® BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned biotechnology product development and licensing subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:IRBO), today announced the results of a bone marrow study involving Homspera. Results point to the ability of Homspera to enhance formation of early-stage blood cells from adult hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. The studies, performed by University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Professor Pranela Rameshwar, Ph.D, not only were consistent with previous stem cell study results, but also demonstrated the potency of Homspera.
The eminent stem cell researcher compared Homspera to Substance P, a peptide found naturally in the body, which is a known stimulant of hematopoiesis. The data indicated Homspera was more effective than Substance P at stimulating hematopoiesis. This impact on the production of blood cells suggests the possibility that Homspera may have clinical application in strengthening the human immune system. The UMDNJ confirmatory study demonstrated Homspera significantly enhanced stem cell differentiation. More than doubling (130 percent) the differentiation exhibited in control cultures, Homspera’s activity was most prominent in the production of two types of white blood cells - granulocytes and macrophages. In comparison, Substance P increased activity over control cultures by only 50 percent, and required dosing at a much higher concentration than did Homspera. This finding is significant because granulocytes (specifically neutrophils) comprise over 70 percent of the white blood cells in the body. Together neutrophils and macrophages play an important role in responding to infection and destroying invading microorganisms. Homspera similarly outperformed Substance P in cultures of red blood cell precursors and also early-stage platelets, providing additional support for Homspera’s potential to enhance the immune system. “The stimulatory effect of Homspera on adult hematopoiesis, especially the production of granulocyte/monocyte precursors, opens up possibilities in treating conditions such as neutropenia,” explained Rameshwar, who is an internationally recognized hematology expert and is also a member of ImmuneRegen’s scientific advisory board. “Neutropenia is a side effect of several drugs, especially those used in chemotherapy. The ability to promote development of early-stage granulocytes offers the potential to help replenish the low neutrophil levels in certain individuals.” Rameshwar’s study used bone marrow collected from multiple human donors to minimize the effect of donor variability. Findings confirmed the hematopoietic impact of Homspera that was previously reported in a pilot study conducted by HemoGenix, a research laboratory specializing in stem cell applications. Said Michael K. Wilhelm, ImmuneRegen president and CEO, “This in vitro data further supports findings we have seen in vivo for Homspera given after radiation exposure, which indicated that Homspera counteracted the resulting decrease in white blood cells. We believe the effects we are seeing on blood-forming stem cells may have implications for treating a multitude of conditions including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and even auto immune diseases.” About University of Medicine and Dentistry of New JerseyThe University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), the state's university of the health sciences, is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in: the undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and continuing education of health professionals and scientists; the conduct of biomedical, psychosocial, clinical and public health research; health promotion, disease prevention and the delivery of health care; and service to our communities and the entire state. Providing educational, research and service programs at campuses in Camden, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Newark, Scotch Plains and Stratford, in communities throughout the state, and nationally and internationally through advanced communication and information technologies, UMDNJ seeks to meet the needs of our diverse constituencies and improve the health and quality of life of the citizens of New Jersey and society at large. For more information, please visit www.umdnj.edu. MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5659412 About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: IRBO), is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development and licensing of HomsperaŽ, an adult stem cell active compound that in study results has been shown to regenerate and strengthen the immune system and enhance wound healing. To advance its mission, the Scottsdale, Arizona based company has forged numerous study partnerships with industry and academic leaders, including Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, UC Berkeley, HemoGenix and Virion Systems, Inc. For more information, please visit the company's website at 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 March 31, 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: ### Copyright © 2003-2008, ImmuneRegen Biosciences, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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