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ADVR's
AVR118 Granted a Patent in China for the Treatment of AIDS
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20 November 2003, 09:22am ET
Large Potential Market as HIV Infection Continues Alarming
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YONKERS, N.Y., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced
Viral Research Corp. (BB:ADVR) today announced that China has
recently granted the Company a patent for the treatment of
AIDS patients with AVR118 (formerly known as Product R). The
claims in the patent awarded by China cover the administration
of AVR118 in combination with other anti-HIV drugs.
As previously reported, preliminary results from an Israeli
clinical trial indicate that AVR118, a novel immunomodulator,
may improve the quality of life of the patient, including
increasing appetite, weight gain or stability and activities
of daily living. AVR118 is also believed to be useful in
enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of the HAART drugs, as
well as serving to mitigate the toxicity of HAART drugs.
The United Nations currently estimates that there are 1.5
million HIV carriers in China. New HIV infections in China
have been increasing annually by about 30%. Chinese officials
and the United Nations have warned that 10 million people
could be infected by 2020.
"A recent United Nations Report on China found that the
world is 'witnessing the unfolding of an AIDS epidemic of
proportions beyond belief'," said Eli Wilner, Chairman of
the Board of ADVR. "The report went on to note that China
is on the verge of a catastrophe that could result in
unimaginable suffering, economic loss and social
devastation."
"This patent not only further protects ADVR's
intellectual property in a potentially large market, but also
serves as an additional opportunity for us to broaden the
awareness of what ADVR is attempting to accomplish in this
therapeutic category," noted James T. D'Olimpio M.D.
"The announcement of this patent can assist us in
educating the world's researchers about ways to combat
AIDS." Dr. D'Olimpio is a leading expert in oncology
research and treatment who has focused on the areas of symptom
control, palliative care, and cancer cachexia. Dr. D'Olimpio
serves as a consultant to ADVR helping the Company to
communicate the clinical results of AVR118 and speaking on
issues related cachexia. He also serves on the Company's
Scientific Advisory Board.
ADVR recently announced the preliminary results of an Israeli
clinical trial from the first fifteen cachectic (body wasting)
AIDS patients treated with the novel immunomodulator AVR118.
The results midway in this trial, first publicly announced on
November 10, 2003, showed improvement in appetite, weight gain
or stability, and enhanced quality of life in all patients.
None of the 15 patients reported any significant side effects
from AVR118 therapy.
Mentioned Last Change
ADVR 0.22 0.01dollars or (4.76%)
"The enhancement of quality of life and the increase in
activities of daily living observed in cachectic AIDS patients
treated with AVR118 in the Phase I/II clinical trial in Israel
carries the promise of returning AIDS patients to productive
activity and relieve the economic burden imposed by this
disease on the individual and society. If ultimately proven in
further clinical trials, the value of AVR118 therapy in
populations suffering with AIDS may be especially important in
third world countries that are experiencing explosive growth,
such as China," stated Shalom Z. Hirschman, M.D., Chief
Scientist at ADVR and author of the patent.
ADVR's AVR118 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 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:
Eli Wilner
914-376-7383
SOURCE Advanced Viral Research Corp.
-0- 11/20/2003
/CONTACT: Eli Wilner of Advanced Viral Research Corp.,
+1-914-376-7383/
/Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/903002.html/
/Web site:
http://www.adviral.com
/
(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long;
LT Rating- Strong Buy)
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