YONKERS, N.Y., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced Viral Research
Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADVR) today announced that administration of its
novel immunomodulator AVR118 (formerly known as Product R) in animals with
induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) suppressed progression
of this demyelinating neurological disease.
This animal model, developed by the Weizmann Institute of Science in
Rehovot, Israel, serves as a potential model for the use of AVR118 in the
treatment of the human auto-immune demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis
(MS).
EAE is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that serves
as an animal model for multiple sclerosis. In experiments conducted at the
Weizmann Institute, AVR118 was delivered to the animals through subcutaneously
implanted infusion pumps for fourteen days concomitantly with the induction of
the disease in rats by injection of basic myelin protein. AVR118 markedly
inhibited the progression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in all
the rats treated. Effects on the disease ceased when treatment with AVR118
was discontinued. Furthermore, when AVR118 was fed orally to experimental
rats there was a dose-dependent suppression of the demyelination that marks
EAE.
"The positive results observed with AVR118 in the animal model emphasizes
the broad potential for treatment of auto-immune diseases based on the anti-
inflammatory properties of this novel drug," said Maribel de Diego, Ph.D.,
ADVR's head of immunology. "It is likely that the therapeutic activity of
AVR118 in EAE is due to the drug's modulating effects on cytokines and
chemokines. The strong effects of AVR118 in suppressing the progression of
the demyelinating disease in the model in rats serve as an impetus for future
clinical study of the possible therapeutic role for AVR118 in multiple
sclerosis."
Multiple Sclerosis
The prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis is 1 in 700 (0.14%) according to
the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID); thus there
are approximately 388,000 patients with the disease in the United States. The
sex ratio of incident cases is about 2.3 to 1, women to men. The age of onset
peaks between 20 and 30 years. Approximately 70% of patients manifest
symptoms between the ages of 21 and 40. The risk of multiple sclerosis is
higher both in temperate climates and among people of northern European
decent.
"These animal studies provide clinicians with critical information
necessary for future approval for human trials," said James T. D'Olimpio,
M.D., a clinical consultant to ADVR. "These results are highly relevant in
validating the scientific principles that will lead the medical community into
understanding a potentially new therapeutic class of drugs. These tests are
an important first step in translating meaningful basic science to the
bedside, where the resulting medications may help a wide variety of patients
suffering the consequences of chronic disease and the inflammatory mechanisms
that modulate this suffering."
ADVR's AVR118 (formerly known as Product R) represents a biopolymer
chemistry that possesses novel immunomodulator activity. This peptide-nucleic
acid, which to date has shown no indication of human toxicity, appears to
stimulate the proinflammatory responses required to combat viral infections
such as AIDS and human papilloma virus and to dampen aberrant autoimmune-type
inflammatory responses, such as occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Therefore, AVR118 has been termed a "switch-type" immunomodulator. AVR118 is
in clinical trials in Israel for the treatment of cachexia (body wasting) in
patients with AIDS.
For further information regarding Advanced Viral Research Corp., please
visit our website at http://www.adviral.com.
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.
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. AVR118 (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 AVR118 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: Ronnie Welch or Kelly Cinelli
CWR & Partners
508/222-4802
SOURCE Advanced Viral Research Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.adviral.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/903002.html
CONTACT:
Ronnie Welch or Kelly Cinelli of CWR &
Partners, +1-508-222-4802, for Advanced Viral Research Corp.
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