VIMRX Announces a Phase I Dermatology Study On Novel
Wound-healing Agent At Columbia Presbyterian
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BW HealthWire)--April 15, 1998--VIMRX Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(NASDAQ:VMRX - news) announced today that it has initiated a Phase I clinical trial on VM301, a
novel compound that has shown promising wound-healing activity when applied topically in
preclinical studies. The studies, designed to evaluate the safety of the compound on both normal and
broken skin, are being conducted at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City by
Dr. Matthew Stiller, director, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Department of Dermatology. Thirty
volunteers will be given the topical dermatological ointment for a 21 day period.
VIMRX is developing VM301 for the treatment of both partial and full thickness wounds, including
burns, surgical wounds, diabetic skin ulcers, and decubitus ulcers (bed sores). In addition to
wound-healing, the compound has shown anti-inflammatory properties which may expand its clinical
potential in the future. Pre-clinical toxicology studies indicated that VM301 is non-irritating and
non-sensitizing and shows no unusual toxicity or adverse effects.
''This unique compound has shown very impressive activity in three animal models for wound
healing, so we are anxious to gain human safety data on both unbroken and broken skin,'' said Dr.
David A. Jackson, chief scientific officer of VIMRX. ''We are optimistic about our ability to move
quickly into a Phase II clinical study later this year to determine the efficacy of the compound on
targeted wound indications.''
VM301 is a semisynthetic derivative of a compound obtained from a marine organism, known as the
sea whip, that is available in abundance in the seas of the Caribbean. Sea whip is harvested by
trimming so that the organism re-grows, resulting in a plentiful, long-term supply.
VIMRX announced recently that its gene discovery programs and therapeutic research and
development compounds, including VM301, would be transferred to a new VIMRX majority owned
subsidiary called Ventiv BioGroup - a collaboration currently being formed with Columbia University.
VIMRX Pharmaceuticals Inc.
VIMRX Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VMRX - news) is a biotechnology company developing
innovative technologies to improve human health. VIMRX's portfolio will include three majority
owned subsidiaries: Nexell Therapeutics Inc., a company formed with Baxter Healthcare
Corporation focused on cell therapeutics for cancer and other life threatening diseases; Innovir
Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: INVR - news), which develops oligozymes for use as both
therapeutics and as pharmaceutical research tools; and, upon completion, Ventiv BioGroup, a
biotechnology development company formed with Columbia University focused on research and
development programs in the areas of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, wound healing and
skin diseases.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a ''safe harbor'' for certain
forward-looking statements. The forward- looking statements contained in this release are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Among
the factors which could affect the Company's actual results and could cause results to differ from
those contained in the forward-looking statements contained herein are the timely commencement
and success of the Company's clinical trials, delays in receiving FDA or other regulatory approvals
and the development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies.
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