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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ImmuneRegen® BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned biotechnology product development and licensing subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC BB:IRBS.OB - News), today reported study findings on its drug candidate Homspera™. The results show Homspera to be effective in stimulating human, adult, blood-forming stem cells (hematopoietic stem cells), which have previously been shown to be capable of becoming blood cells that are vital to the body’s immune system. This suggests a role for Homspera in strengthening the human immune system.
The study by HemoGenix, a research laboratory specializing in stem cell applications that serves the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, found ImmuneRegen’s Homspera not only increased the number of early-stage white blood cells by up to 200 percent when compared to controls, but also produced this effect at surprisingly low concentrations. These findings indicate Homspera’s potential benefit in situations where regenerating or stimulating the immune system is desired, as with patients undergoing chemotherapy who may develop leukopenia (low number of white blood cells).
“These results help explain the myriad of successful animal studies previously reported for Homspera in widely diverse areas of health-related fields, including Homspera’s positive results in influenza therapy, combating the effects of radiation exposure and enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (vaccine adjuvant activity),” said ImmuneRegen Scientific Director Kasey Benson, Ph.D. “These findings from adult human stem cells suggest that Homspera could also produce positive effects clinically.”
In the study, Homspera promoted the development of early-stage white blood cells and platelet precursors when added to a cell culture of human hematopoietic stem cells. “I have never seen these stimulatory activities at such low concentrations of test compound,” said Ivan N. Rich, Ph.D., HemoGenix founder, chairman and CEO and an internationally recognized leader in hematology research.
Said Benson, “We are excited about the broad range of health-related applications Homspera promises.” ImmuneRegen plans further studies to better understand Homspera’s role in immune-system regeneration and to search for potential drug applications.
About HemoGenix, Inc.
HemoGenix was the first company to provide a fully standardized ATP-based, in vitro bioluminescence assay system designed specifically as an alternative to, and in most cases a replacement for, the colony-forming cell (CFC) assay used to detect stem and progenitor cells of the blood-forming system. Since its founding in 2000, HemoGenix has developed its own portfolio of proprietary assays for basic research, toxicity, safety and risk assessment for the biopharmaceutical and environmental arenas and quality control assays for stem cell transplantation processing laboratories. HemoGenix produces and sells its assay platforms directly or through its distributors worldwide.
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc., (OTC BB:IRBS.OB - News) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development and licensing of Homspera™ and its derivatives. Homspera is an adult stem cell active compound that in study results has been shown to regenerate and strengthen the immune system and enhance wound healing. Viprovex®, a derivative of Homspera, is being developed for potential use against infectious diseases as a stand-alone or combination therapy and as a vaccine adjuvant. To advance its mission, the Scottsdale, Arizona based company has forged numerous study partnerships with industry and academic leaders, including Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, HemoGenix, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and Virion Systems. For more information, please visit www.immuneregen.com.
Statements about ImmuneRegen's future expectations, including statements about the potential use and scientific results for ImmuneRegen's drug candidates, science and technology, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. ImmuneRegen intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and, together with ImmuneRegen's business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. ImmuneRegen's actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including the uncertainties inherent in research and development collaborations, pre-clinical and clinical trials and product development programs (including, but not limited to the fact that future results or research and development efforts may prove less encouraging than current results or cause side effects not observed in current pre-clinical trials), the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures and monies available for further studies, capital market conditions, and others set forth in ImmuneRegen's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees that any of ImmuneRegen's proposed products will prove to be commercially successful. ImmuneRegen undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Contact:
John Fermanis
ImmuneRegen BioSciences Inc.
Phone: 480-922-3926
E-mail: jfermanis@immuneregen.com
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