GenoMed launches free trial against Marburg virus epidemic in Angola

Apr 26 2005

GenoMed announced today that it has launched a free clinical trial to combat the current Marburg virus epidemic in Angola.

Marburg virus causes a hemorrhagic fever which is fatal in 80% of cases. The current epidemic, the largest in history, began in the northern province of Uige in Angola in early March. It has since spread throughout much of Angola. So far, over 240 people have died, many of them children, and another 264 people are currently infected.

Marburg virus is considered a prime candidate for use by viral bioterrorists.

GenoMed believes it has a broad-spectrum viral antidote, which it has been testing successfully against West Nile virus for the past two summers. It should work equally well against influenza, avian influenza, SARS, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, and the common cold. It may also be effective against HIV and tuberculosis (Tb). Tb, of course, is caused by the tubercle bacillus, a kind of bacteria.

Said Dr. David Moskowitz, Chief Medical & Executive Officer for GenoMed, "Our positive experience so far with West Nile virus encephalitis gives us hope that our approach will be successful against other lethal viruses like Marburg virus. We're grateful to Angola for allowing us to try to help during the current awful epidemic."

Dr. Moskowitz went on to say, "The Internet now makes it possible for anybody to enroll in our free clinical trial at any time of day or night anywhere in the world, simply by going to our website and clicking on the link for the trial. People will have to enter their email address so that we can follow up with them and eventually publish our results. In return for their email address, they'll be able to download the documents they'll need to show their physician in order to get started immediately on our trial. A family member could easily do this for a child who is sick. The drugs we use are available in every drug store around the world."