rolling, rolling, rolling, keep those releases rolling, heb 10/9 news
New Diagnostic Marker for CFS
May Provide First Evidence of Specific Biochemical Probe Correlating with CFS
Disease Severity as Well as the Recovery Steps
NEW YORK, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA (Amex: HEB) stated today that new diagnostic data, developed in conjunction with clinical data from use of its investigational drug product, (Ampligen(R)), presently under active clinical development, would be presented at various scientific sessions of the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Conference on October 10 and 11, 1998. The overarching objective of the new research was to evaluate disease-specific markers which might correlate with both the disease process and potential recovery therefrom.
The pioneering research was based on the initial findings of Dr. Robert Suhadolnik, a member of Hemispherx Biopharma's Scientific Advisory Board . Thereafter, researchers in Montpelier University and the Free University of Brussels, Belgium subsequently confirmed the identification of a specifically abnormal antiviral component (a disease barrier against many viruses) in the blood's immune cells from a substantial number of CFS patients. Hemispherx stated that many of these patients, who initially participated in examination of this new research diagnostic, went on to enroll its various Ampligen(R) treatment evaluation programs in either the United States or Europe, under various authorizations obtained either from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") or the corresponding overseas drug regulatory authorities. CFS patients moved substantially through each of three "modules," or evaluation categories -- 1) "no treatment" to 2) "active treatment," and finally to 3) "post treatment." These modules afforded a set of valuable research data points to examine both the disease process itself as well as the relative success, if any, of therapeutic intervention.
In commenting on the research, William A. Carter, M.D., F.A.C.P., CEO and Chairman of Hemispherx stated: "Trained as a Board Certified specialist in Internal Medicine, I can say that this research diagnostic approach seems to be the most promising development to date in this field. Previously, patients and their physicians really had to run a costly "diagnostic gauntlet" -- namely, several thousand dollars spent and many diagnostic procedures covering several weeks -- only to establish (or reject) this specific diagnostic category (CFS). Obviously, financial resources are limited and many patients simply couldn't afford the protracted time to establish this clinically-based diagnosis. Thus, these two problems contributed greatly to initial under-reporting of the true incidence of CFS in the United States. For example, we now know that the disease has a similar incidence in all socio-economic groups, but that wasn't always our knowledge. Years ago, the government actually initially under-reported the incidence, especially in minority groups, such as blacks and Hispanics. These patients simply could not avail themselves of the costly, protracted old diagnostic approach even though they were suffering with the full constellation of symptoms."
"Of course, we don't know the extent to which such a single laboratory test might now expand the number of cases above 500,000 Americans. However, we do know, historically, that similar diagnostic methodology for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, by increasing the physician's arsenal of diagnostic tools, found many 'new' cases which previously went either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed."
Hemispherx, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the manufacture and global clinical development of new drug entities in the nucleic acid (NA) class for chronic viral diseases and disorders of the immune system including CFS (Chronic-Fatigue Syndrome).
Information contained in this news release other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking and is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties. For instance, the strategies and operations of Hemispherx involve risks of competition, changing market conditions, changes in laws and regulations affecting these industries and numerous other factors discussed in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.
CO: Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.
ST: New York
IN: MTC HEA
SU:
10/09/98 02:15 EDT prnewswire.com
|
