( ads were evaluated and representative s...)Hemispherx Presents Potential Avian Influenza Treatment,Breakthrough at Paris Conference,Health

Examination of the lungs revealed evidence of a dose-related reduction of infection-related pneumonia. Two of the three animals in the highest dosing group showed no evidence of lung infection to the naked eye, while lower-dose groups did show visible infection. This dose-related response was noteworthy given that viral loads were consistent among the subjects receiving the various dosages and the control group. Ten days of ongoing Alferon-LDO prophylaxis and treatment reduced the severity of pneumonia despite the continuing presence of the influenza virus.

The study results are being presented at the ongoing 2nd International Conference on Avian Influenza, being held at the Pasteur Institute.

Recent medical reports from critical influenza regions such as Southeast Asia indicate that presently available therapies, even given at the highest doses available via intravenous routes, do not alter the avian influenza death rate, which at present is greater than 60%. Given the danger of an avian flu pandemic, the lack of an effective available therapy and the fact that Alferon-N(TM) is already approved by the United States FDA as safe and effective in treating a different virus, Hemispherx management is hopeful that Alferon-LDO can receive expedited review and emergency-based approval as an anti-HPAI agent, solely relying on the "animal rule" for demonstration of efficacy.

"The threat of global pandemic illness from infectious disease puts the highest possible priority on finding therapeutic strategies that can protect first responders and save patient lives," commented Dr. William Carter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hemispherx. "We are encouraged by the strong potential that Alferon-LDO, an experimental formulation of our previously licensed drug, shows as a prophylactic agent, especially for front-line health care workers, and its ad
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