DOR up a bunch in pm on news from last night.
6:53 PM EST January 30, 2006
MIAMI (Dow Jones)--DOR Biopharma Inc. (DOR) said its Phase 1 study of RiVax as a vaccine against ricin toxin indicated that the vaccine is well-tolerated and induces antibodies in humans that neutralize ricin.
Ricin toxin is a toxic protein extracted from castor beans that, in small amounts, can be deadly to humans and animals.
In a press release Monday, the drug company said RiVax induced antibodies in all five participants injected with the highest dose level, four who received the intermediate dose and one with the lowest dosage.
The study, conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, enrolled 15 volunteers in groups of five, who were vaccinated with three successive monthly injections of the same RiVax dose level.
Side effects in the study were mild and included transient headaches and sore arms, DOR said in the release.
Antibodies remained present in several participants' blood for 127 days following the last vaccination. Their presence was tested by transferring serum globulins, a protein fraction of serum composed chiefly of antibodies, from vaccinated participants along with active ricin toxin to sensitive mice. The mice survived, indicating the antibodies were active.
DOR is conducting studies in mice to determine if the vaccine protects them against ricin administered by aerosols or orally instead of by injection.
The company said the next steps for RiVax development will include evaluation to correlate protection against ricin exposure in animals to immune responses in vaccinated humans.
-Dorna Naseri; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
01-30-06 1853ET
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