PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex:HEB) (the "Company" or "Hemispherx") today announced that Ampligen® will be featured in a discussion of "promising new discoveries that will direct step changes in efficacy of next generation cancer immunotherapies" in a round table discussion of Active Immunotherapy held at the Fira Palace in Barcelona May 13, 2011. Dr. Christopher F Nicodemus, a consultant to Hemispherx, was invited to highlight findings from his recently published work with the compound and the work of collaborators.
Dr. Nicodemus is the Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Immune Therapeutics, Inc. of Charlestown, Massachusetts. He is a recognized leader developing innovative immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, with an emphasis on ovarian cancer. His research focus over the last several years has been on the development of novel combination therapies using standard cytotoxic protocols in conjunction with cancer vaccines and specific immune modulators.
The round table discussion at the Phacilitate Active Immunotherapeutics Forum 2011 highlights alternative approaches that are in active development to better mobilize immunotherapeutic pathways in clinical settings and to overcome the natural immune suppression that is associated with growing tumors. As a specific Toll-like receptor ("TLR") 3 agonist with established extensive clinical dosing experience, Ampligen®, an experimental therapeutic, has a favorable profile for incorporation into clinical studies. Recent observations about the importance of schedule administration between cytotoxic treatments and vaccines suggest that refined approaches to combinatorial schedules of cancer treatments may be crucial to future clinical success.
Dr. William A. Carter, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at Hemispherx, stated, "...we are excited to see the potential of Ampligen®, our selective TLR 3 agonist being recognized by global leaders for its potential to be combined with other cancer immunotherapies. This potential clinical application of Ampligen® will require systematic study in collaboration with other Investigational New Drug holders of innovative cancer products and marks an evolution in approach to the routine clinical development of cancer treatment."
Hemispherx views the potential use of Ampligen®, an experimental therapeutic, as a component of cancer immunotherapy as an important development opportunity. The Company's near term focus in cancer is to initiate a series of collaborations with renowned cancer research experts at premier institutions to help define the best mode of integrating Ampligen® into immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of cancer.
Hemispherx had no role in organizing this symposium.
About Hemispherx Biopharma
Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. is an advanced specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture and clinical development of new drug entities for treatment of seriously debilitating disorders. Hemispherx's flagship products include Alferon N Injection® (FDA approved for a category of sexually transmitted diseases) and the experimental therapeutics Ampligen® and Alferon® LDO. Ampligen® is an experimental RNA nucleic acid being developed for globally important debilitating diseases and disorders of the immune system. Hemispherx's platform technology includes components for potential treatment of various severely debilitating and life threatening diseases. Hemispherx has patents comprising its core intellectual property estate and a fully commercialized product (Alferon N Injection®). The Company wholly owns and exclusively operates a GMP certified manufacturing facility in the United States for commercial products. For more information please visit .
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 risk of competition, changing market conditions, change 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. Any specifically referenced investigational drugs and associated technologies of the Company (including Ampligen® and Alferon® LDO) are experimental in nature and as such are not designated safe and effective by a regulatory authority for general use and are legally available only through clinical trials with the referenced disorders. The forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. The planning, completion, results or submission of clinical trials do not imply that any study product will ever be approved commercially for the studied or other treatment indications.
CONTACT: Company/Investor Contact: Dianne Will Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. 518-398-6222 ir@hemispherx.net