понедельник, 9 мая 2011 г.

Vietnam to Begin Testing VIRA 38 Against the Bird Flu Virus (H5N1)

PRB Pharmaceuticals and
Lee's Pharmaceuticals announced today that Vietnam's
Department of Animal Health will begin testing an animal
version of VIRA 38 on their poultry flocks as part of a
multi-national, avian influenza research collaboration.
Other members of the group include laboratories and clinics
at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales
Hospital (Hong Kong), and Mahidol University, (Thailand).


"Our collaboration with PRB Pharmaceuticals is headed by Dr.
To Long Thanh and is part of Vietnam's continued effort to
bring Avian Influenza under control," said Dr. Bui Quang
Anh, Director-General of the Department of Animal Health,
Vietnam.


The announcement comes amid new concerns that migratory
birds will spread the lethal H5N1 virus to poultry and
humans, triggering a worldwide influenza pandemic.


"The massive infection and death of migratory birds at
China's Qinghai Lake and the emergence of new H5N1 strains
is cause for concern," said Dr. Charles Hensley, Chairman
and CEO of PRB Pharmaceuticals. "The H5N1 virus is gaining
momentum and the migratory bird, poultry, human axis is
driving the evolution of this virus towards the development
of a pandemic strain. A comprehensive approach targeting
each component of this axis is desperately needed."


"The nightmare scenario is that new H5N1 variants will
emerge that are not only highly contagious in humans but
also resistant to existing anti-viral drugs," added Dr.
Benjamin Li, CEO of Lee's Pharmaceuticals. "Viral resistance
is most likely to occur when a drug targets a single point
of the viral life cycle. The H5N1 virus is already resistant
to amantadine and the World Health Organization has reported
oseltamivir (Tamiflu) resistance in Northern Vietnam."


"Our approach is to attack the virus at multiple points of
its life cycle. This results in greater efficacy and reduces
the likelihood of the virus developing resistance," added
Dr. Hensley. "A crucial component of our research program
is the testing of VIRA 38 and its fractions against the H5N1
variants emerging in China and Vietnam as well as those
showing resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu)."


VIRA 38, first gained notoriety during the Taiwan SARS
outbreak when it was used by the Taiwan Presidential staff
and doctors at Sungshan Hospital (SARS management facility)
and again in 2004 when it was found to inhibit H5N1


infections.
About VIRA 38


VIRA 38, PRB Pharmaceuticals' over-the-counter broad
spectrum anti-viral medication is known for its
effectiveness in treating and preventing influenza. VIRA 38
has recently been shown to contain compounds that inhibit a
variety of pathogens including the bird flu (H5N1) virus.


About PRB Pharmaceuticals


PRB Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(prbpharmaceuticals) is based in Irvine,
California and Hong Kong (SAR). PRB Pharmaceuticals is a
fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focusing on
anti-viral therapies.


About Lee's Pharmaceuticals

Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd.

(leespharm/EN) (Hong Kong Exchange GEM
Stock:8221) distributes VIRA 38 to the Hong Kong market.


View drug information on Tamiflu capsule.

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