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NEWS
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AVR118 Suppresses Progression of Disease in Animal Model of
Multiple Sclerosis Developed at The Weizmann Institute of
Science(/b>
Tuesday December 9, 9:10 am ET
YONKERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2003--Advanced Viral
Research Corp. (OTCBB: ADVR - News) 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 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:
CWR & Partners
Ronnie Welch or Kelly Cinelli, 508/222-4802
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