ADVR Appoints Dr. Carol Epstein as Acting Medical Director
Thursday April 8, 7:31 am ET
"I am extremely pleased that Dr. Epstein has joined our team. Carol is known for her creative and strategic thinking," said Elma S. Hawkins, PhD, MBA, President and CEO of Advanced Viral Research Corp. "With her wealth of knowledge and expertise in clinical research and drug development, Carol is uniquely qualified to assist us in translating AVR118 into commercial realization. This marks the first time we have had someone with Dr. Epstein's level of expertise in clinical development at ADVR and demonstrates our commitment and focus in this area."
Dr. Epstein started her career in the pharmaceutical industry in 1983 with Ayerst, a division of American Home Products. She then joined Immunex where she built the clinical group and was responsible for the successful clinical strategy that led to the approval of GM-CSF. Dr. Epstein later became Chief Medical Officer of Immunogen, and then co-founded BioLogics Services, Inc, a biopharmaceutical consulting firm. She has had extensive experience in oncology, immunology and autoimmune diseases, wound healing, cardiology, endocrinology and metabolism, and transplantation. Dr. Epstein graduated from MIT and Yale University School of Medicine.
"I look forward to working with ADVR in developing and executing a comprehensive strategic plan for the clinical development of this very interesting and promising product," said Dr. Epstein.
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. ADVR's lead product, AVR118 (formerly known as Product R), represents a biopolymer that possesses novel immunomodulator activity. This peptide-nucleic acid, which to date has shown a very favorable safety profile, 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. 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 www.adviral.com.
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 or that if completed, clinical trials performed outside the United States will assist the Company in obtaining FDA or other regulatory approval. 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
| i
wonder if that is true we had i believe some experienced management
before but the stock rose and then collapsed with a bang.... what do you
think makes them different the cfo is still the same and from what i
have gathered he sells stock at such a low price that it will never rise
with any motion because if it goes up to say .24 people who invested big
time have doubled their millions.. so why would you think it is
different... names maybe but the cfo procedures are the same... if he
had higher option pricing with true management goals such as make the
millions and get triple the options at a higher price that would make
sense to me so we could see the performance for company and greed. at
these levels it is just make the money for management on pops in share
pricing hold for a while and dump so we can buy back in without our
original investment... that is my opinion... older management at least got the stock to the 1.50+ levels a couple of times where dr. h and company can't get it out of the .29 range..... and increased shares 10 fold..... the new management needs a great break... maybe sell the company for 2 bucks... and everyone wins the purchaser gets a muli-billion dollar product or shelves it to keep their fixin product that never repairs on the shelf so the sick have to come back again and again to purchase a fix but not a cure... if you know what i mean... management in my eyes have not a clue compared to the management and connections that made this stock rise above 1.50....... you would have to prove it to me that they compare or prove your statement to me... i have seen many a july come and go since the old management and i would have them back in there again except for the give a share away cfo... i would let him go as easily as he lets the shares go for a sin of a price. rick |
| Rick,
great post, and it hits the nail right on the head. Anyone that doesn't understand what he is saying should go back, review the history of this company's management and financial dealings, and think it through again. I'd have hired Kochel for 1/4 the price, kept Chuck Miller on, and allowed the "old-timers" to head the company up. |
| Peptides
Fight the Fusion of SARS Virus 4/2/04 by Elizabeth Tolchin By using past experience from the study of fusion-inhibitory peptides in HIV, researchers found a similar inhibitory mechanism for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Led by a team from the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, the researchers tested the inhibitory effect of two sets of peptides corresponding to two protein regions of the SARS-CoV, called HR1 and HR2, which are also found in HIV. Using computer-aided modeling, they found that the CP-1 peptide from the HR2 region bound with high affinity to the NP-1 peptide from the HR-1 region. The team thinks that the binding of the two peptides results in the inhibition of the SARS-CoV infection. "The binding of the two peptides prevents these two regions from interacting so that the virus can not enter the cells," says Shibo Jiang, MD, PhD, head of the Laboratory of Viral Immunology at the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute. In the early 1990s, Jiang's group and others discovered fusion-inhibitory peptides in HIV derived from the same HR1 and HR2 regions and was involved in the development of a peptide-based drug called T-20, which was approved last year by the US Food and Drug Administration. The drug is now being used for patients that are resistant to other current therapies. According to the study [Liu et al., The Lancet, vol. 363, pp. 938-947 (2004)], any compounds that block HR1-HR2 interaction could be used as leads for the development of virus fusion inhibitors. The researchers believe that the CP-1 peptide can be used as a lead in designing more potent anti-SARS-CoV peptides for drug development. "There is a similar phenomenon in many other viruses, including influenza, Ebola, and certain respiratory viruses, to which this approach could be applied," says Jiang. Many of the main challenges were resolved in their previous experience with HIV, he says. "We already know the regions we are looking for from our previous studies. This allows us to use other techniques like computer-aided modeling." "We will modify the sequence of CP-1 to make it more active and increase its potency," says Jiang. The short-term treatment that is needed for SARS makes the approach more practical than the costly T-20 drug for the treatment of AIDS, which needs to be administered for life, he says. It can also be used for short-term prevention, providing immediate protection, unlike a vaccine. |
| Hello
Keith0228's,Well I hate to bring it up but was'nt GLOBOMAX suppose to
GUIDE us through in the past!!And WHAT GOOD did they DO??I think GLOBO
took us for a RIDE to the tune of 3+Mill!!.......Aven1 |
| Globomax
DID take us to the point that ADVR had contracted it for:; to wit, they brought us to acceptance of Ph I trials and opened the door to Ph II.. ADVR then spent all this money ostensibly to ACTUALLY move forward into Phase II - but because management had is head up its ass - but chose to cancel the VERY thing they chose to spend millions for in the first place and moved NEW trials to SZH's keepsake country where he had "friends!!!" This was NOT Globomax's fault. They did THEIR part of the contract. It was ADVR that failed US!!! This is classic case of mis-management of financial and scientific resources - anyone who can't understand this ought to be on ADVR's board - who ill advisedly oversaw each of these disastorus pathways and approved Period. (Voluntary Disclosure: ST Rating- Strong Sell; LT Rating- Strong Sell) |
| Aven,
guess I forgot all about that, but you're right. Do you know what
happened? Did we not have enough money to actually pursue Globo's rec's
or did they just screw us. The only promising thing I can say is that at
least we've got an individual's name versus a company. We'll know who to
blame if things don't pan out. - - - - - View Replies » |
| Lets
bury the past.. We have a new CEO and Medical Director to lead this co
to new heights. Our CEO will be meeting a number of stockholders
shortly. I hope to be there. To have such experienced people take an
interest in this Co. indicates a great future for this Co. Let the naked
shorters and bashers take note. We will overcome all obsticals because
this product is effictive, safe, and economical. (Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy) |
| Globomax
was one of the very few "right" decisions that the former CEO
ever made. The dollar amount expended under the contract was actually
over 5 million dollars....and worth every penny !!! ADVR was lucky, if
not blessed, to have Globomax as their representative to the FDA. If
anything, it was Hirschman who screwed Globomax. Let's not re-write
history here. For those who care to remember, Globo was also origainally
involved in the development of the trials in Israel. All IMHO, because we will never know all the details of what went on behind the scenes......But, I think that it was Globo's impression at the time, that the Israel trials were going to go forward in addition to the FDA sanctioned trials for HPV. Once it became clear to them that Hirschman's plans were to pursue the Israel trials instead of the FDA approved trials.....It was Globo who dumped ADVR. Regardless of the amount that Globomax was paid for their efforts, they did use the weight of their expertise and connections with the FDA to get ADVR on the map here in the USA. Only to get dis'ed by the good DR. H. One of the comments in today's PR relative to "the first time" that ADVR has had access to such drug development expertise is pure BS. C'mon, aside from Globo & other contracted "experts", don't forget that we actually hired a VP of drug development who supposedly had the level of expertise now attributed to the new kid on the block. Geez, do we really want to trust these people so much so that we check our common sense and what we know to be true at the door. Soon it will be devulged just how much $$$ and how many options are going to be granted to the new-comer. Of course, we should all hope & pray that she will be worth it. There is not a single shareholder, especially those that have been around for a while, who hasn't earned the right to be skeptical or even downright cynical. There will always be those who will seek to place blame where it doesn't belong. Same thing with attempts to heap praise where it isn't warranted. And, of course, there will always be a PollyAnna in the bunch. GOOOOOOO ADVR GOOOOOOO !!! IAG......-kevtod |
| Kev..
one day the whole story will be told.. u are very observent..I believe
ths new team will move us ahead at a better speed than before.. please
withold ur comments untill after at least three months.. I bvelieve u
will be pleasently surprised..When ur right, ur right. |
| We
have someone new at the company: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040408/nyth011_1.html (Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Hold; LT Rating- Hold) |
| question why the title "acting director" is this not a permanent position? I like her credentials tho'! rico |
| mb-
I believe that you believe that..... I will continue to hope for the best......And, of course, continue to expect the worst.....lol.....I think I crossed the line from skeptic to cynic about 3 years ago..... As Martha might say.... "Pleasant surprises are A GOOD THING !!! -kevtod |
| there
is a medical director under contract till dec. |
| Kev..
one day we will meet at a stockholders meeting and i will be able to
fill u in with the missing info.. Meanwhile this is a great drug... |
| A
couple of 1.5 million share trades just went thru. Someone spent about
400 grand. |
| Keith:
YES...It certainly looked liked a BUY. Let's enjoy it! LTL777 |
| With
Carol Epstein coming on board as "Acting Medical Director",
does it mean that Dr. Jim D'Olimpio's role as the company's
"Spokesperson-at-Large" to communicate with the medical
community is now diminished or eliminated? - - - - - |
| tell...i
mentioned that dr d. has been quiet since the new boss awhile ago.
possible in house we all want to be the chief indian?? eli, dr d, dr h,
been very quiet since the new boss. just a thought. also the boss said
whats to be said for the abstract cant be told to the public till the
day of. so i say no news with a bite till then. you would think advr
would tell all at that time. good luck ps bought more at .134 and will buy more next week when other trades are complete
|
||
| This
stock is dead! - - - - - View Replies » |
| yea,
only a bout 4,000,000 shares traded. where did u come from? |
| "
I would also like to commend Condi Rice for her outstanding testimony
today." BULLDICKEY Her testimony is now FINALLY the linchpin to the release of the document as to the fact that there WAS notation of the possibility of an impending attack - KNOWN by the principals - when SHE declassified that PDB (her words from her own mouth)!!! The document entitled "Bin Laden Determined to Attack Inside the United States" - which the Bush administration has tried (and now failed) to keep secret for 2 years now will now be released and raise a firestorm. As to your comment, "can the weatherman predict WHERE lightening will strike; even though he knows the conditions are right for strikes???" ...the bottom line is when meteorologists sense an impending weather storm is upcoming, they WARN the public, not keep it a secret. The Bush folks are ruining this country and all it stands for. They hide behind the skirts of a woman, sent alone to testify in front of the commission in public under oath, while our great president needs his talking mouth Cheney to sit by his side while THEY testify in private and NOT under oath as if he can't do it by himself. Chicken s_hit politics!! Where is his "BRING IT ON" crap and camouflage military clothing (with codsack protection) when HIS feet are put to the fire!! - - - - - View Replies » |
| In
addition (from the LA Times):: "Some members of the audience, which included relatives of those killed in the attacks, broke out in applause as Ben-Veniste repeated his question to Rice as to whether she had told the president that there were Al Qaeda terrorist cells in the United States prior to the Aug. 6 memo. That information had been forwarded to Rice by the administration's former counterterrorism expert Richard Clarke. "I really don't remember, commissioner, whether I discussed this with the president," Rice said. Rice also consistently avoided agreeing to make public the classified Aug. 6 memo, which has been made available to the panel and was referred to several times during the proceedings. She did not directly reply, but referred to the "sensitivity" of presidential decision-making." - - - - - View Replies » |
| Ouro,
The war on terror was first ignored by the former administration. Lets
hear a blast at the past first. What did Slick Willy do about the first
WTC attack. What was his reaction to Somilia. In the last weeks of his
administration, inteligence reports stated that Bin laden's whereabouts
were known. And HE IGNORED THAT REPORT. Had he given the word to go
after Bin laden then, WTC II would not have happened. Lets put the blame
where it should be. Clinton had 8 years to go after terrorists, but true
to his Viet Nam Attitude ,he would rather run than fight. He was too
busy instructing interns in the fine art of filatio. True to his 60's
generation he'd rather make love not war. |
| Bottom
line, I hope you are enjoying the morass Bush has gotten us into - and
hasn't figured a way to get us out of. All based on lies and fallacies. All to make us "safer" and to instill "peace" in the Middle East!! Sure 'nuff Georgie!! (By the way, do you think George W. will sit on Dick Cheney's lap when they "testify??) - - - - - View Replies » |
| States
Implementing Restrictions on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs Because of
Strained Budgets, Rising Drug Prices [Apr 07, 2004] Nearly 800 HIV/AIDS patients in the United States are on waiting lists for state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs because of strained state budgets and rising drug prices, and the number likely will grow, according to doctors, state officials and AIDS advocates attending a one-day meeting on the issue in the District of Columbia on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care organized the conference to discuss ways to address the rising cost of antiretroviral drugs and congressional funding of ADAPs, according to Reuters (Richwine, Reuters, 4/6). ADAPs -- which are supported with both state and federal funds -- provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. As of January, 15 states had waiting lists or access restrictions for their ADAP programs, according to an "ADAP Watch" released by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/6). "We're about to fall into a major crisis" if the trend continues, IAPAC President and CEO Jose Zuniga said. AIDS advocates and physicians became more concerned about the situation in December 2003 when Abbott Laboratories raised the price of its antiretroviral drug Norvir by 400%, according to Zuniga and others, Reuters reports. "This is not about blaming industry for the entirety of problems. Certainly pricing is a concern," Zuniga said. Pharmaceutical companies say that their drug prices reflect the high cost of developing and manufacturing the drugs, according to Reuters. Zuniga said, "We need to look at a mixed bag of solutions," adding that lawmakers also "are not paying attention anymore" to the problem of AIDS drug access. "If the trends continue, a whole bunch of people are not going to be treated ... and those people are going to crash into other parts of the health care system," Bill Arnold of the ADAP Working Group said, adding, "The patients do not go away" (Reuters, 4/6). MPR's "Marketplace Morning Report" on Tuesday reported on the IAPAC meeting on HIV/AIDS drug access and treatment issues. The segment includes comments from Zuniga (Wicai, "Marketplace Morning Report," MPR, 4/6). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer. ******************************************************** -kevtod |