ImmuneRegen BioSciences to test efficacy of Homspera against H5N1 Avian Influenza

Oct 12 2009

ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.®, a wholly owned subsidiary of IR Biosciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), today announced that its lead anti-influenza drug, Homspera, will be tested for efficacy against highly lethal H5N1 Avian Influenza in the laboratories of a widely respected University scientist. Additionally, testing at an independent facility will further define the adjuvant efficacy of Homspera when coupled with a novel vaccine for H5N1 in studies sponsored by an ImmuneRegen industry partner.

The influenza A virus is one of the most highly evolving and dangerous viruses that infect humans. Seasonal influenza is highly contagious and even with a relatively low lethality of approximately 0.12% (mostly the very young, elderly or chronically ill individuals), it kills about 36,000 Americans annually. The newly recognized H1N1-2009 influenza virus is also highly infectious, having spread throughout the world in a matter of months with a slightly higher lethality of 0.4% (mostly healthy younger individuals with no prior exposure, or therefore immunity, to this virus type). Early outbreaks of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were relatively contained but with very high lethality of 69%, 67% and 75% respectively.

Currently one of the greatest fears of infectious disease experts is the evolutionary recombination of the highly lethal Avian Flu (or similar) virus with the easily transmissible seasonal or H1N1-2009 virus, thereby creating a virus that combines the worst of both: human transmissibility and high lethality.

Because of these concerns, ImmuneRegen has initiated a study utilizing the highly pathogenic H5N1-Clade 2 virus (the specific virus subtype that has been found to infect humans) to test the efficacy of Homspera in treating ferrets infected with lethal doses of the virus. This study is a continuation of studies previously sponsored by ImmuneRegen testing the efficacy of Homspera in treating the novel H1N1 ("swine flu") Influenza strain currently considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

ImmuneRegen is also further evaluating the previously demonstrated vaccine adjuvant effect of Homspera in combination with a vaccine for H5N1. This study is being sponsored by a strategic partner of ImmuneRegen and is utilizing a novel H5N1 antigen and delivery technology.