ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (Amex: ANX) announced today that it gave an oral presentation
describing broad antiviral activity for Thiovir(TM) at the 14th
International Symposium on HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ISHEID)
program. The presentation entitled "Thiovir exhibits broad-spectrum
antiviral activity against human and avian influenza, human
immunodeficiency, and herpes simplex viruses" was delivered by Shani
Waninger, Ph.D., associate director for research and development for
ADVENTRX on Thursday, June 22 in the "new antiretroviral drugs" plenary
session. The conference takes place at the International Convention Center
in Toulon, France, June 21-23, 2006.
Results presented at the conference were from preclinical studies
demonstrating Thiovir activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2 and against complex
NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) and NNRTI (non-nucleoside
reverse transcriptase inhibitor)-resistant virus, as determined by viral
antigen and indicator cell assays for HIV infection. HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral
infection was reduced with micro-molar concentrations of Thiovir.
Additional studies using Thiovir with zidovudine (AZT) showed synergistic
activity against HIV strains, but without synergistic toxicity in human
cells. Furthermore, Thiovir re-sensitized zidovudine-resistant HIV strains
to zidovudine, a finding that has potential important clinical
implications.
In preclinical tests with influenza virus, Thiovir demonstrated
antiviral activity against multiple subtypes of influenza B and influenza
A, including a hybrid H5N1 avian influenza virus. These studies were
conducted using tests measuring specific influenza virus antigen. Thiovir
was also found to be active in micro-molar concentrations against herpes
simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 in preclinical testing as measured by
virus infection assays in human cell lines.
"These results demonstrate Thiovir's antiviral activity against a
variety of important human viruses in a preclinical setting," said Evan M.
Levine, ADVENTRX president and CEO. "We plan to further study the antiviral
efficacy of Thiovir in additional preclinical tests with multiple viruses
to support Thiovir's anticipated clinical development."
ADVENTRX currently plans to file an investigational new drug
application (IND) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order
to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial using Thiovir to treat HIV/AIDS. In
addition, the Company is currently investigating development options for
Thiovir to treat herpes infections and as a potential treatment for avian
influenza.
About Thiovir
Thiovir is a broad spectrum antiviral drug that has been shown in
preclinical tests to inhibit HIV, influenza A and herpes viruses. Thiovir
is a pyrophosphate analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor designed for
oral delivery as a component of highly active antiretroviral therapy
(HAART) for HIV/AIDS. Thiovir is a prodrug for foscarnet that delivers both
the active drug TPFA (thiophosphonoformate) and the active metabolite PFA
(foscarnet).
About ADVENTRX
ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical research and
development company focused on introducing treatments for cancer and
infectious disease that surpass the performance and safety of existing
drugs, by addressing significant problems such as drug metabolism,
toxicity, bioavailability and resistance. More information can be found on
the Company's Web site at adventrx.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the
meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding ADVENTRX. Such statements are made
based on management's current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may
vary from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors,
including uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, the
timing and success of clinical trials, the validity of research results,
and the receipt of necessary approvals from the FDA and other regulatory
agencies. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking
statements regarding ADVENTRX, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in
ADVENTRX's last annual report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, as well as other reports that ADVENTRX files from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements
regarding ADVENTRX are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement. ADVENTRX undertakes no obligation to release publicly any
revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
which occur after the date hereof.
ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
adventrx