YONKERS, N.Y., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced Viral Research
Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADVR) today said that Company President and CEO,
Shalom Z. Hirschman, M.D., was interviewed by ABC World News Tonight for a
segment regarding the search for a treatment for Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), that was broadcast on Thursday, April 10. In the interview,
Dr. Hirschman told ABC News, "If in fact a SARS pandemic is developing, that
will add urgency to research all over the world."
ABC News noted that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases is seeking to test more than 2,000 drugs against the SARS virus.
ADVR, therefore, could seek an opportunity to offer Product R for
consideration to the global scientific community. The full text of the ABC
News story is available on http://www.abcnews.com.
"Product R, a second-generation drug, now being investigated for various
uses, is derived from the older drug Reticulose, which was for years listed in
the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) to treat influenza, mumps and measles and
was used by the U.S. Armed Forces to treat viral infections with no reported
side effects," noted Dr. Hirschman. "Product R, a novel Peptide Nucleic Acid,
which to date has shown no indication of human toxicity, is an immunomodulator
that appears to stimulate the pro-inflammatory responses required to combat
viral infections such as AIDS and human papilloma virus. With its broad anti-
viral activity, no apparent safety issues and the apparent development of a
global health emergency, we believe that there is limited risk for health
experts to consider the possible use of Product R for the treatment of
patients with SARS."
"With the growing number of SARS cases worldwide, and the efforts by the
world's leading scientists to find an effective treatment, it is our
responsibility to share information about Product R to help the world's
scientific community address a possible global epidemic," said Eli Wilner,
Chairman of the Board.
The Company noted that three clinical trials of Product R in Israel are
currently underway. The Israeli clinical trials for Product R include:
-- a Phase I/II clinical trial with injectable Product R in cachectic
AIDS patients who have failed highly active antiretroviral therapy
(HAART) and require salvage therapy;
-- a Phase I clinical study for the treatment of body wasting (cachexia)
in patients with solid tumors; and
-- a Phase I clinical trial for cachectic patients with hematopoietic and
lymphoid tumors, including acute lymphocytic leukemia, multiple
myeloma, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Last month, ADVR announced that it had initiated activities necessary to
expand the ongoing Israeli clinical trial of Product R for the treatment of
AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). ADVR has
directed the staff of the Selikoff Center in Israel, in collaboration with the
principal investigator, to begin developing protocols for a multi-center,
blinded, controlled late stage Phase II clinical trial of Product R in AIDS
patients who are in need of salvage therapy.
Advanced Viral Research Corp., based in Yonkers, New York, is a
biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to improving patients' lives by researching,
developing and bringing to market new and effective therapies for viral and
other diseases.
For further information regarding Advanced Viral Research Corp., please
visit our website at http://www.adviral.com.
Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks associated with clinical development, regulatory approvals, including
application to the FDA, product commercialization and other risks described
from time to time in the SEC reports filed by the Company. Product R is not
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any comparable agencies
of any other countries. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to
secure the financing necessary to continue and/or complete the clinical trials
of Product R or satisfy certain other conditions relating to clinical trials
including obtaining adequate insurance on terms acceptable to the Company. The
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained
in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future events or
circumstances or otherwise.
Contact: Mayr Communications Inc.
Charles Mayr
Tel: 877.777.6010
mayrcomm@att.net
SOURCE Advanced Viral Research Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.adviral.com
CONTACT:
Charles Mayr of Mayr Communications Inc.,
1-877-777-6010, mayrcomm@att.net, for Advanced Viral Research
Corp.
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