- IR103 Produces HIV-Specific Immune Responses in Saline Formulation -
CARLSBAD, Calif., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Immune Response
Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNR), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming
a leading immune-based therapy company in HIV and multiple sclerosis (MS),
announced that research results suggest its newest HIV product candidate,
IR103, generated robust HIV-1 specific immune responses. IR103 combines the
Company's patented HIV-1 Immunogen with the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide
adjuvant Amplivax(TM). Two poster presentations demonstrating IR103 HIV-1
specific immunologic activity were presented this week at the XV International
AIDS Conference in Bangkok. Ability to generate HIV-1 specific immune
responses is thought to be an important indicator of clinical utility.
"The new data demonstrating that IR103 effectively stimulates HIV-specific
immune responses in a saline formulation, as well as in the traditional
Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA), opens new formulation opportunities. We
are evaluating study designs to refine the product composition to optimize
therapeutic utility," said John N. Bonfiglio, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer
of The Immune Response Corporation. "Further, by developing a saline-based
product, we hope to reduce manufacturing costs and limit some of the minor
side effects seen with IFA."
"The Immune Response Corporation team has been working very hard to
advance these products into clinical trials. With several new HIV trials
beginning this year and a newly accelerated MS program, the Company is moving
towards product commercialization as quickly as possible," continued Mr.
Bonfiglio.
The poster presented today by Dorothy Bray, Ph.D., of the MRC Clinical
Trial Unit in London, reviewed a preclinical study in which mice immunized
subcutaneously with IR103 showed significantly enhanced production of a number
of key markers of HIV-specific immune responses, including gamma interferon
(IFN-g) and important chemokines such as RANTES, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-1beta, as
well as p24 antibody, when compared to those immunized with HIV-1 immunogen
(REMUNE(R)) alone. These data demonstrate the potential to enhance both
cell-mediated and humoral immunity, both of which are considered important in
mounting an effective immune response against HIV. Significantly, the study
demonstrated that IR103 increases HIV-specific immune responses when
administered with and without IFA.
Mario Clerici, MD, Chair of Immunology at the University Milano in Italy,
presented yesterday's poster on an ex-vivo study in which Amplivax(TM) was
investigated for its ability to enhance HIV antigen stimulation from HIV
positive patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results showed
that Amplivax(TM) increased HIV-specific cell-mediated immune responses from
patients vaccinated with HIV-1 Immunogen (REMUNE(R)), as measured primarily by
IFN-g production. By adding Amplivax(TM) ex-vivo, the investigators observed
an increase in the production of alpha-defensin producing cells.
Alpha-defensin is an important antiviral factor capable of suppressing HIV
replication.
Amplivax(TM) was developed by Hybridon, Inc. (Amex: HBY) and has been
licensed to The Immune Response Corporation.
About The Immune Response Corporation
The Immune Response Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNR) is a biopharmaceutical
company dedicated to becoming a leading immune-based therapy company in HIV
and multiple sclerosis (MS). The Company's HIV products are based on its
patented whole-killed virus technology, co-invented by Company founder Dr.
Jonas Salk, to stimulate HIV immune responses. REMUNE(R), currently in Phase
II clinical trials, is being developed as a first-line treatment for people
with early-stage HIV. The Company has initiated development of a new
immune-based therapy, IR103, which incorporates a second-generation
immunostimulatory oligonucleotide adjuvant.
The Immune Response Corporation is also developing an immune-based therapy
for MS, NeuroVax(TM), which is currently in Phase II and has shown potential
therapeutic value for this difficult-to-treat disease.
Please visit The Immune Response Corporation on the World Wide Web at
http://www.imnr.com
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 additional clinical trials of REMUNE(R), NeuroVax(TM) 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
REMUNE(R), NeuroVax(TM) or IR103 might not prove to be effective as either a
therapeutic or preventive vaccine, whether future trials will be conducted and
whether the results of such trials will coincide with the results of
REMUNE(R), NeuroVax(TM) or IR103 in preclinical trials and/or earlier clinical
trials. These risks, among others, are set forth in The Immune Response
Corporation's SEC filings including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and any subsequent Quarterly
Reports 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.
REMUNE(R) is a registered trademark of The Immune Response Corporation.
NeuroVax(TM) is a trademark of The Immune Response Corporation.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Laura Silver, Sam Brown Inc. Corporate Communications
310-551-9940
silver@sambrown.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Kathy Waller, Financial Relations Board
312-266-7800
kwaller@financialrelationsboard.com
AT THE COMPANY:
Michael K. Green, Chief Financial Officer
760-431-7080
info@imnr.com
SOURCE The Immune Response Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.imnr.com
CONTACT:
Media, Laura Silver of Sam Brown Inc.
Corporate Communications, +1-310-551-9940, silver@sambrown.com,
or Investors, Kathy Waller of Financial Relations Board,
+1-312-266-7800, kwaller@financialrelationsboard.com, both for
The Immune Response Corporation; or Michael K. Green, Chief
Financial Officer of The Immune Response Corporation,
+1-760-431-7080, info@imnr.com
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