Business Wire - September 16, 2005
The ability of the HIV virus to establish resistance to therapeutic drugs through genetic mutation is a major concern in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. HIV does not always make perfect copies of itself. With billions of viruses being made every day, lots of small, random differences can occur. The differences are called mutations and these mutations can prevent drugs from working effectively. When a drug no longer works against HIV, this is called drug resistance and the virus with the mutation is considered to be 'resistant' to the drug. With the increasing number of drug-resistant patients, it is of great importance in the development of new HIV/AIDS therapeutics that they will be effective against HIV of known resistance characteristics.
"RPI-MN has already been proven to have broad antiviral activity and a well established safety record in humans," commented Paul Reid, PhD, ReceptoPharm's CEO. "Recent laboratory studies revealed that RPI-MN was capable of inhibiting the replication of HIV as efficiently as normal or wild-type strains. This current study showing efficacy against resistant strains of the virus may allow us to quickly move into human clinical trials," he concluded.
The inhibition of multi-resistant HIV-1 strains by RPI-MN preparations was investigated at the La Jolla Institute of Molecular Medicine. The activity was assessed by recombinant virus assays using a chimeric HIV CCR5 isolate containing known genetic mutations and the Renilla luciferase gene. RPI-MN inhibited drug resistant strains with a similar potency as wild type strains. The drug resistance determinants examined were those from Reverse Transcriptase (RT), Protease and fusion inhibitors. Some strains contained dual resistance to RT and Protease inhibitors with as many 23 distinct mutants. It is anticipated that this data will accelerate the move into clinical trials with subjects infected with HIV.
"Nutra Pharma is excited by the results of this study," commented Rik Deitsch, Nutra Pharma's CEO. "Knowing that RPI-MN has such a great impact on resistant strains of HIV may help in the drug's progression through clinical trials and eventual approval," he added.
About Nutra Pharma Corp.
Nutra Pharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the acquisition, licensing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of neurological disorders, cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Nutra Pharma Corp. through its subsidiaries carries out basic drug discovery research and clinical development and also seeks strategic licensing partnerships to reduce the risks associated with the drug development process. The Company's minority-owned subsidiary, ReceptoPharm, Inc., is developing technologies for the development of drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"). The Company's other holding, Infectech, Inc., is engaged in the research and development of diagnostic test kits designed to be used for the rapid identification of infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI). Nutra Pharma continues to identify and acquire intellectual property and companies in the biotechnology arena.
http://www.nutrapharma.com
About ReceptoPharm, Inc.
ReceptoPharm is a bio-pharmaceutical company developing proprietary therapeutic proteins for the treatment of several chronic, life-threatening viral, auto-immune and neuro-degenerative disorders, specifically including Rabies, HIV, and Myasthenia gravis (MG).
http://www.receptopharm.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Nutra Pharma's ("the Company") business plan. The Company's business is subject to various risks, which are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company's results from these studies should not be construed as an indication in any way whatsoever of the value of the Company or its common stock. The Company's filings may be accessed at the SEC's Edgar system at www.sec.gov. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company cautions readers not to place reliance on such statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.
CONTACT: Nutra Pharma Corp.
Brandon Rockow, 310-473-7965
IR@nutrapharma.com
SOURCE: Nutra Pharma Corp.
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