Helicobacter Pylori Is a Major Cause of Gastric Cancer
AMARILLO, Texas, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: AMAR) announces the Company has received a Small Business
Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The SBIR grant is for $96,248 and will be used by Amarillo Biosciences to
develop a vaccine to combat Helicobacter pylori, a major cause of gastric
cancer. Amarillo Biosciences will collaborate with Steven Krakowka, DVM, PhD
of The Ohio State University and John Ellis, DVM, PhD of Capricorn Research
and Development, Laramie, Wyoming.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped bacterium that is found
in the stomach of humans in which it causes more than 90% of duodenal ulcers
and up to 80% of gastric ulcers. Approximately two-thirds of the world's
human population is infected with H. pylori. In developing countries,
infection is frequently symptomatic and is responsible for the high incidence
of gastric cancer. The cost and expense of pharmacological intervention is
beyond the means of most of the population. A safe and efficacious vaccine
would provide an economical and a widespread benefit to the entire world's
population.
Dr. Joseph M. Cummins, President and CEO of Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.
said, "Data generated from our vaccine trials in swine will provide the basis
for future studies in humans. We are excited to partner with The Ohio State
University and Capricorn R&D. They have the expertise to make this a
successful vaccine for a major disease worldwide."
"Preliminary data in the gnotobiotic piglet model of Helicobacter pylori
is very encouraging," says Dr. Steve Krakowka of OSU. "The piglet model was
the first nonprimate animal developed for this disease and is widely used in
drug screening and efficacy trials. In this regard, the piglet, unlike
rodents, is physiologically similar to humans."
Under the terms of the SBIR grant, Amarillo Biosciences will fund the
research and development of the vaccine. If the Phase I work goes as
expected, Amarillo will request a larger Phase II SBIR grant in 2002.
About Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.
Amarillo Biosciences, founded in 1984, is a pioneer in the research of
low-dose, orally-administered interferon alpha as a treatment for a variety of
conditions including Sjogren's syndrome, fibromyalgia syndrome, Behcet's
disease, hepatitis B and C, and opportunistic infections in patients who are
HIV positive. Additional information is available on the Amarillo
Biosciences, Inc. web site at http://www.amarbio.com .
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.
Description of Business" of the Company's Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2000.
SOURCE Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.amarbio.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/118055.html
CONTACT:
Dr. Joseph M. Cummins, President & CEO of
Amarillo Biosciences, Inc., +1-806-376-1741, ext. #13; or Jim
Drewitz, Investor Relations, +1-972-355-6070, for Amarillo
Biosciences, Inc.
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