LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- PRB Pharmaceuticals
(http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com) and Lee's Pharmaceuticals
(http://www.leespharm.com) announced today the discovery that v38 AMF-1
inhibits H5N1 infection by blocking the ability of the virus to attach to
cells. Three fractions of v38 AMF-1 were tested against H5N1, the virus
responsible for causing avian influenza (bird flu), and all showed excellent
potency and selectivity at inhibiting H5N1 uptake and viral infections.
The results come from the U.S. arm of an ongoing, multi-national, anti-
viral project jointly sponsored by PRB Pharmaceuticals and Lee's
Pharmaceuticals. In the first arm of the project, researchers led by Dr. John
Tam at the Chinese University of Hong Kong found v38 AMF-1 to be effective
against a variety of pathogens, including SARS CoV, the virus responsible for
causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. It was subsequently shown that v38
AMF-1 inhibits the 3C-like protease (3CLpro), a crucial part of the SARS virus
life cycle.
In the second arm of the project, v38 AMF-1 was shown to inhibit H5N1 in
chicken embryos. 100% of chicken embryos inoculated with H5N1 and treated with
v38 AMF-1 survived while all of those not receiving v38 AMF-1 died within
hours.
"The finding that v38 AMF-1 blocks H5N1 virus attachment is extremely
important as it demonstrates v38 AMF-1 works much differently than the
neuraminidase inhibitors Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir)," said
Dr. Charles Hensley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PRB
Pharmaceuticals. "Tamiflu can only work once the virus has already entered and
multiplied inside the cells. This drug's mode of action is less than ideal
which may explain why Tamiflu is only marginally effective as a treatment for
influenza in humans. v38 AMF-1 keeps the virus out of the cells in the first
place."
v38 AMF-1 is one component of VIRA 38, PRB Pharmaceuticals' influenza
medicine. VIRA 38 is a comprehensive medicine that attacks the virus at
multiple points of its life cycle such as viral attachment, uncoating,
replication and release. This new paradigm for antiviral medicines generates
therapies with greater efficacy and lower incidence of drug resistance.
"When it comes to most viruses, the traditional single molecule - single
target approach simply does not work," added Hensley. "Viruses such as H5N1
are not static and they are constantly mutating and changing therapeutic
targets. These mutations lead to drug resistance commonly seen with most of
the antiviral drugs currently in use. The recent issues with Tamiflu and
amantidine resistance illustrates this point."
About VIRA 38
VIRA 38, PRB Pharmaceuticals' broad-spectrum anti-viral medication, is
known for its effectiveness in treating and preventing influenza. VIRA 38
first gained notoriety in 2003 when it was selected for use by the Taiwan
Presidential staff and doctors at Sungshan Hospital (SARS management facility)
during the SARS outbreak of 2003.
About PRB Pharmaceuticals
PRB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com) is based in
Southern California and Hong Kong (SAR). PRB Pharmaceuticals is a fully
integrated biopharmaceutical company focusing on therapies against emerging
viruses. PRB's Bio-Security laboratories are located in Cypress, California.
About Lee's Pharmaceuticals
Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd (http://www.leespharm.com/EN) (Hong Kong
Exchange GEM Stock: 8221) distributes VIRA 38 to the Hong Kong market. Lee's
is an integrated research-driven and market-oriented pharmaceutical company
engaged in the development, manufacture and sales of quality biopharmaceutical
products that focus on combating cardiovascular and viral diseases.
Web sites:
http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com
http://www.leespharm.com
Contact information:
e-mail: info@prbpharmaceuticals.com
North America:
1 (714) 226-0070
1 (714) 226-0076
1 (714) 226-0094 (Fax)
Asia:
Vivian Fung
+852-2314-1282
+852-2314-1708 (Fax)
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,
visit http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE PRB Pharmaceuticals
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Related links:
http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com
CONTACT:
PRB Pharmaceuticals - North America,
+1-714-226-0070, or +1-714-226-0076, or fax, +1-714-226-0094,
info@prbpharmaceuticals.com, or Asia: Vivian Fung of Lee's
Pharmaceuticals, +852-2314-1282, or fax, +852-2314-1708
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