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ViRexx Announces the Initiation of a Phase I Clinical Study of HepaVaxx B |
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15 Jun 2006 |
EDMONTON, Canada | Jun 15, 2006 | ViRexx Medical Corp. (TSX: VIR) (AMEX: REX) a company focused on immunotherapy treatments for certain cancers, chronic hepatitis B & C and embolotherapy treatments for tumors, today announced that the first volunteer in a Phase I study of HepaVaxx B vaccine has been treated at the McGill University Health Centre's Vaccine Study Centre. The clinical trial will enroll 15 healthy volunteers in the safety study and will be the first-in-man study of the HepaVaxx B vaccine, the lead candidate of ViRexx's novel Chimigen™ platform.
"The initiation of the HepaVaxx B vaccine trial represents the third platform technology from ViRexx to enter the clinic. The outcome of HepaVaxx B vaccine study will provide important information on the safety profile of this Chimigen™ vaccine in humans," commented Dr. Lorne Tyrrell, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of ViRexx Medical Corp.
HepaVaxx B
HepaVaxx B vaccine consists of a recombinant chimeric molecule containing a hepatitis B viral antigen and a portion of a murine monoclonal antibody. The molecule is designed to target dendritic cells, which play a significant role in antigen presentation and initiation of an immune response. In preclinical testing, HepaVaxx B has produced both cellular and humoral immune responses. ViRexx believes that the development of humoral and cellular responses may be effective in clearing the virus from patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that one out of every three people globally has been infected with the hepatitis B virus. Individuals that develop chronic infections are at increased risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer. On average, 15% to 25% of chronically infected persons die from chronic liver disease, with approximately 1.2 million hepatitis B virus-related deaths worldwide occurring every year.
About ViRexx Medical Corp.
ViRexx is an Edmonton, Alberta based biotechnology company focused on the development of novel therapeutic products for the treatment of certain cancers and specified chronic viral infections. ViRexx's most advanced programs include drug candidates for the treatment of ovarian cancer, chronic hepatitis B and C and solid tumors.
ViRexx's lead product candidate, OvaRex® MAb, a therapy for the treatment of late-stage ovarian cancer, is currently the subject of two Phase III clinical trials being funded by ViRexx's licensing partner Unither Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation. For additional information about ViRexx, please see www.virexx.com.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of the Company with respect to its performance, business and future events. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results and events may vary significantly.
Contacts:
ViRexx Medical Corp.
Marc Canton
President & Chief Operating Officer
(780) 433-4411
(780) 436-0068 (FAX)
Email:
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ViRexx Medical Corp.
Scott Langille
Chief Financial Officer
(780) 989-6708
(780) 436-0068 (FAX)
Email:
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Website: www.virexx.com
SOURCE: ViRexx Medical Corp. |
