Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Orchestra Therapeutics to Present at Red Chip Small-Cap Investor Conference

   - New Corporate Identity and Expanded Strategic Focus on Treatment of
                  Autoimmune Diseases Will Be Discussed -

    CARLSBAD, Calif., May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchestra
Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: OCHT) today announced that a
presentation about the Company's new corporate identity and expanded focus
on the treatment of autoimmune diseases will be given at the Red Chip
Small-Cap Investor Conference in San Francisco, Wednesday, May 30, 2007.
The annual conference represents an opportunity for Orchestra Therapeutics
to discuss its immune-based therapeutic vaccine program with global
investors and leading financial professionals in the small-cap industry.
    Dr. Joseph O'Neill, Orchestra Therapeutics President and CEO, will make
the presentation. Dr. O'Neill will discuss the Company's drug development
pipeline, including the status of the double-blind, placebo controlled
Phase II clinical trial now in progress for NeuroVax(TM), a T-Cell Receptor
peptide vaccine for the treatment of relapsing-remitting forms of multiple
sclerosis (MS).
    "We believe we have a substantial opportunity to benefit patients
living with various autoimmune diseases by further leveraging the
scientific technology pioneered with NeuroVax(TM)," said Dr. O'Neill. "We
are currently in final discussions with various prestigious academic
institutions about conducting pre-clinical work with human samples toward
the development of several therapeutic vaccines to treat other autoimmune
diseases including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We expect the
findings from these programs to position us to initiate Phase I trials of a
TCR peptide vaccine in at least one of these new autoimmune diseases in
2008."
    Autoimmune processes are implicated in more than 90 conditions,
including MS, RA, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, lupus and type-1 diabetes.
Orchestra Therapeutics' unique approach to controlling autoimmune diseases
uses small TCR peptide vaccines that appear to stimulate strong disease
immunity that includes Foxp3+ Regulatory T-cells; a component of the immune
system that is now recognized as being key in autoimmune pathogenesis. The
Company was one of the first to demonstrate that these T Reg cells were
diminished in MS patients, and has subsequently shown that NeuroVax(TM) can
replenish the levels of these T Reg cells back to or greater than those
seen in healthy controls.
    Dr. O'Neill added, "We look forward to learning more about the clinical
impact of NeuroVax(TM) and to potentially expanding our product portfolio
based on this platform technology. We believe we have cause to be excited
about future developments for the Company."
    As part of the presentation, Dr. O'Neill will also provide updates on
key decisions made by the Company to reduce costs and focus resources on
the expanded autoimmune program.
    About Orchestra Therapeutics
    Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: OCHT), formerly The
Immune Response Corporation (former symbol IMRP), is an
immuno-pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of
novel treatments for autoimmune diseases. The Company's lead immune-based
therapeutic product candidate is NeuroVax(TM) for the treatment of MS. In
addition to MS, the Company has proprietary technology and prior clinical
experience for evaluation of TCR peptide-based immune therapies for RA and
psoriasis.
    The Company also has two HIV product candidates, REMUNE(R) and IR103.
The 52-week data from the first large cohort of HIV clinical trial
participants from a now-terminated Phase II clinical trial have already
been gathered, and analysis of the data will be completed and disclosed in
the second quarter of 2007. Based on this data, the Company will consider
strategic alternatives for the HIV program.
    The targeted strategy behind the Company's immune-based therapies is
reflected in the name Orchestra. Rather than disrupting the function of the
entire immune system, these therapeutic vaccines are designed to elicit a
very specific response -- akin to correcting one instrument in an orchestra
that is out of tune -- to help control disease.
    This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are often signaled by forms of words such as should, could,
will, might, plan, projection, forecast, expect, guidance, potential and
developing. Actual results could vary materially from those expected due to
a variety of risk factors, including whether the Company will continue as a
going concern and successfully raise proceeds from financing activities
sufficient to fund operations and clinical trials of NeuroVax(TM),
REMUNE(R) or IR103, the uncertainty of successful completion of any such
clinical trials, the fact that the Company has not succeeded in
commercializing any drug, the risk that NeuroVax(TM), REMUNE(R) or IR103
might not prove to be effective as a therapeutic vaccine, whether future
trials will be conducted and whether the results of such trials will
coincide with the results of NeuroVax(TM), REMUNE(R) or IR103 in
preclinical trials and/or earlier clinical trials and the unresolved status
of the Company's HIV program. A more extensive set of risks is set forth in
Orchestra Therapeutics' SEC filings including, but not limited to, its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and its
subsequent Quarterly Reports as filed on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes
no obligation to update the results of these forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after today or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
    NeuroVax(TM) is a trademark of Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc. REMUNE(R)
is a registered trademark of Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc.
    MEDIA CONTACT:                                  INVESTOR CONTACT:
    Rachel Kessler                                  Robert Giordano
    Chamberlain Communications Group                ROI Associates
    (212) 389-9155                                  (212) 495-0201
    rkessler@chamberlainpr.com                      rgiordano@roiny.com

    COMPANY CONTACT:
    Michael K. Green, COO
    Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc.
    (760) 431-7080
    info@orchestratherapeutics.com


SOURCE Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc.




Back to Topback to top

CONTACT:
Media, Rachel Kessler of Chamberlain
Communications Group, +1-212-389-9155,
rkessler@chamberlainpr.com, for Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc.; or
Investors, Robert Giordano of ROI Associates, +1-212-495-0201,
rgiordano@roiny.com, for Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc.; or Michael
K. Green, COO of Orchestra Therapeutics, Inc., +1-760-431-7080,
info@orchestratherapeutics.com