AMARILLO, Texas, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Amarillo Biosciences Inc.
(Nasdaq: AMAR) today announced that Dr. Philip C. Fox, Director of Research
and Development, Amarillo Biosciences, Inc., will deliver the Broadhurst
Distinguished Lecture this Thursday, April 8, 1999 in Boston. The Broadhurst
lecture is sponsored by the Schepens Eye Research Institute, an affiliate of
Harvard Medical School, and is directed at an audience of physicians,
molecular and cellular biologists, immunologists, and clinical scientists.
Dr. Fox, former Clinical Director of the National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, will present a broad
overview of his research into the mechanisms of exocrinopathy in Sjogren's
syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder affecting over one
million individuals in the United States. A progressive loss of salivary and
lacrimal function lead to severe symptoms of oral and ocular dryness and a
multitude of clinical dysfunctions. The immune-mediated mechanisms
responsible for the exocrine dysfunction in Sjogren's syndrome have been an
active research area for over 20 years.
Dr. Fox is a leading researcher of this condition and while at NIH founded
and led one of the largest and best recognized clinics studying this disorder.
He and his group have contributed a number of advances in patient care in
Sjogren's syndrome and have pioneered new therapies for the disorder.
Amarillo Biosciences is presently conducting a pivotal phase III clinical
trial for Sjogren's syndrome, testing low dose oral IFNa. Earlier studies
have shown that low dose oral IFNa can both increase salivary function and
improve symptoms of mouth and eye dryness. Additionally, IFNa is the first
agent for Sjogren's syndrome which has had significant beneficial effects at
the affected site. Following IFNa treatment, there was a reduction in
salivary gland inflammation and an improvement in secretory tissue.
While in Boston, Dr. Fox will also take part in a full day symposium on
Sjogren's syndrome which will be held on Friday, April 9, 1999. The
symposium, to be held at the Starr Scientific Communications Center of the
Schepens Eye Research Institute, will feature a number of leading basic and
clinical scientists studying Sjogren's syndrome. The program will cover both
recent basic science advances and current clinical management of dry mouth and
eyes.
Founded in 1984, Amarillo Biosciences is a world leader in the development
of low dose oral interferon alpha as a treatment for a variety of conditions
including Sjogren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, opportunistic infections in
patients who are HIV positive, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Interferon plays a critical role in immune system modulation. High dosage
injectable interferon is currently used for the treatment of cancer, multiple
sclerosis and hepatitis in humans. Amarillo Biosciences is an emerging
biopharmaceutical company incorporated in 1984 and dedicated to the
development of oral and topical applications of low dose interferon for human
and animal health applications. Low dose interferon has the potential to be
less costly and to have fewer side effects than high dose injectable
interferon.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties related to product
development, uncertainties related to the need for regulatory and other
government approvals, dependence on proprietary technology, uncertainty of
market acceptance of oral interferon alpha or the company's other product
candidates and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see "Item 1. The
Description of Business" of the company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended
Dec. 31, 1998.
SOURCE Amarillo Biosciences Inc.
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http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/118055.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 118055
CONTACT:
Kathleen L. Kelleher, COO and Vice President
Business Development of Amarillo Biosciences Inc., 806-376-1741
or email, ABI@AmarBio.com
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