PRNewswire - June 18, 2001

"These funds will allow Ichor to build the strong foundations required to effectively demonstrate the compelling nature of its distinctive new approach to AIDS prevention and treatment," commented John Musacchio, COO of Ichor.

"Our pioneering research has positioned Ichor to take full advantage of the market opportunity provided by this challenging medical field."

Ichor researchers have made a fundamental discovery that enables them to conclude that an HIV infection can trigger an immune response, which then turns against the immune system itself. HIV needs to penetrate its host target cell in order to replicate and the virus achieves this by binding to pre-existing receptors on the surface of these cells. This discovery is based on the assumption that if the virus' envelope proteins are to bind successfully to the pre-existing cellular receptors, these must mimic some of the host's immune system proteins, which also use these cellular receptors.

In accordance with this assumption, Ichor discovered that the virus' envelope mimics interleukin-2 (IL-2) very precisely. IL-2 is a major protein, which plays a crucial role in the host's immune response. Indeed, Ichor identified a very precise and functional tridimensional molecular mimicry between highly conserved parts of GP41 (the HIV transmembrane protein) in a trimeric form and IL-2. Ichor has also demonstrated that this mimicry exists in three mammal species known to develop AIDS: humans, monkeys and felines.

Based on these findings, Ichor is pursuing development of four products: therapeutic molecules that prevent fusion between the virus and host cells; therapeutic vaccines that direct the immune system to recognize the transmembrane glycoprotein (GP41 -- GP36) of the virus and not the host's IL-2; preventative AIDS vaccines utilizing a novel strategy; and an AIDS cartridge that could selectively remove the identified immunosuppressive antibodies present in the serum of AIDS patients, using agents such as peptides that have been tested for activity.

Ichor is a biotechnology company focused on the development of human and animal vaccines and therapies in the field of retroviral and viral autoimmune diseases. Initially, the company is developing four vaccine and therapeutic products based on the same new molecular mimicry strategy in the field of HIV and FIV infections. These ensuing products will utilize a major scientific breakthrough in molecular mimicry between the virus and host immune system.

These discoveries were made by Dr. Pierre-Francois Serres, founder of Ichor's wholly owned subsidiary Hippocampe S.A. The company is headquartered in Lyon, France.

Statements about the company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as the term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The company intends that such "forward-looking statements" be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements involve certain risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.

SOURCE Ichor Corporation

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