ImmuneRegen to test Viprovex in avian flu

The company, which has seen its proprietary drug Viprovex treat other strains of influenza in animal models, is currently pursuing government and military collaborations to test Viprovex on the avian influenza (H5N1) strain itself.

ImmuneRegen is said to be confident the researchers will find similar results in this form of influenza due to the immune boosting nature of the drug. The decision follows an announcement by President Bush that his administration is finalizing a plan on preparing for an outbreak of the bird flu. Further, the Senate last week passed legislation authorizing $4 billion for additional purchases of anti-flu medication.

“The scientific community’s biggest fear is that before a vaccine is available, the avian flu strain will mutate to where it can infect people more readily, or become transmissible from person to person,” said ImmuneRegen CEO, Michael Wilhelm.

Mr Wilhelm added that he believes Viprovex will help the body’s own immune system naturally rid itself of any flu strain. He thinks this will create the possibility of Viprovex being used as a stand alone treatment or as an adjunct to another therapy.

Previous studies demonstrate the ability of Viprovex to decrease apoptosis (cell death) in pulmonary alveolar macrophages after toxic exposure. The data indicates that Viprovex keeps pulmonary alveolar macrophages alive to fight respiratory viruses.