Hemispherx Notes the Importance of Immunizations During Upcoming National Immunization Awareness Month and Potential of Ampli...
July 03 2018 - 8:30AM
Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (NYSE American:HEB), an
immuno-pharma R&D company focused on unmet medical needs in
immunology, is pleased to enthusiastically support National
Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), which is observed annually
during August. NIAM is designed “to celebrate the benefits of
vaccination and highlight the importance of vaccination for people
of all ages,” according to its sponsor, the National Public Health
Information Coalition. To learn more about NIAM, please click here.
Hemispherx’s reaffirms its commitment to R&D progress in this
space which is of critical importance to public health.
Hemispherx is confident about the potential role of Ampligen,
one of its patented core technologies, in treating or preventing a
range of immune mediated diseases, including influenza. One key
area of on-going Hemispherx research is the development of a
“universal” influenza vaccine which, would provide multi-year
protection against not only seasonal influenza strains, but also
those with the potential to cause lethal global dipandemics.
Ampligen is a selective toll-like receptor 3 agonist capable of
inducing innate and adaptive immune responses. In a human
intranasal vaccine study of Ampligen plus FluMist, the combination
was shown to be well-tolerated. Moreover, patients in the Ampligen
plus FluMist treatment group produced antibodies against highly
lethal avian influenza viruses including H5N1 and H7N9 that were
not present in the immunizing vaccines. Pathogenic avian strains of
influenza with high mortality in humans remain a clear and present
human danger of being spread by potentially devastating influenza
pandemics.
Hideki Hasegawa, MD, Director, Department of Pathology (National
Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan) stated, “Our experimental
findings in rodents and non-human primates using intranasal
vaccination clearly showed that Ampligen enhanced the activity of
influenza vaccines by conferring increased cross-reactivity and
cross-protection, even with deadly avian H5N1 influenza
viruses. Such effects will be key to the development of a
universal vaccine for influenza.”
Edgar Turner Overton, MD, Associate Professor, Division of
Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama School of Medicine
stated, “Building on the work of Dr. Hasegawa, we studied
intranasal Ampligen administration following influenza vaccine
clinically. The Ampligen was well-tolerated and evidence for
cross-reactivity against avian influenza strains was also seen in
humans.”
“The opportunity to develop a globally effective influenza
vaccine is an important part of our overall development strategy
for Ampligen,” said David R. Strayer, MD, Chief Science and Medical
Officer of Hemispherx. “Studies conducted on the activity of
Ampligen in combination with influenza vaccines suggest that
intranasal immunization with Ampligen as an adjuvant may provide an
effective and well-tolerated means of protecting at-risk
humans.”
The global influenza vaccine market is estimated to exceed $3
billion in 2018, according to the World Health Organization. It is
projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 6.93% from
2017 to 2023, to reach $4.6 billion by 2023, up from an anticipated
$3 billion in 2018, according to market research firm
Research and Markets. “Hemispherx is seriously exploring
co-development partnerships with influenza vaccine producers. Our
goal is to make a positive difference in viral vaccines, both in
terms of enhanced effectiveness and cross-reactivity and
cross-protection. We have focused our R&D on three key areas,
immuno-oncology, ME/CFS, and vaccine enhancement. Our belief is
strong that our vaccine work can and will make an important
difference for improved public health in the future,” states Tom
Equels, CEO at Hemispherx.
About Hemispherx Biopharma Hemispherx
Biopharma, Inc. is an immuno-pharma R&D and emerging commercial
growth company focused on unmet medical needs in immunology.
Hemispherx's flagship products include the Argentina-approved drug
rintatolimod (trade names Ampligen® or Rintamod®) and the
FDA-approved drug Alferon N Injection®. Based on results of
published, peer reviewed pre-clinical studies and clinical trials,
Hemispherx believe that Ampligen® may have broad-spectrum
anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. Clinical trials of Ampligen®
already conducted by Hemispherx include studies of the potential
treatment of cancer patients with renal cell carcinoma and
malignant melanoma, CFS, Hepatitis B and HIV. All of these
potential uses will require additional clinical trials to generate
the safety and effectiveness data necessary to support regulatory
approval. Rintatolimod is a double-stranded RNA being developed for
globally important debilitating diseases and disorders of the
immune system. Commercialization of Ampligen® in Argentina will
require, among other things, an appropriate reimbursement level,
appropriate marketing strategies, completion of manufacturing
preparations for launch (including possible requirements for
approval of final manufacturing) and we most likely will need
additional funds to manufacture product at a sufficient level for a
commercial launch.
Cautionary StatementSome of the statements
included in this press release may be forward-looking statements
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among other
things, for those statements, we claim the protection of the safe
harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking
statements set forth in this press release speak only as of the
date of this press release. We do not undertake to update any of
these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
that occur after the date hereof. This press release and prior
releases are available at www.hemispherx.net. The information found
on our website is not incorporated by reference into this press
release and is included for reference purposes only.
ContactHemispherx Biopharma, Inc. Phone Number:
800-778-4042 Email: IR@hemispherx.net
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