ImmuneRegen(R) BioSciences Confirms Homspera(R) Advances Wound Healing In Topical Application

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 18 Aug 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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ImmuneRegen® BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), announced that in a controlled study performed on Yorkshire pigs, its wound-healing drug candidate, Homspera®, has accelerated the healing process of deep, dermal excisions. ImmuneRegen performed the in vivo study with Bio-Quant, Inc., a biotechnology development company that also provides contracted preclinical research services. The study results add to the body of evidence of Homspera's ability to stimulate wound healing and further support the potential application of Homspera in diverse areas such as thermal and chemical burns, battlefield trauma, and wounds such as diabetic and pressure ulcers, as well as surgical and traumatic wounds.

Bio-Quant performed the 24-day study on Yorkshire pigs, which have similar skin and wound-healing mechanisms as humans and are thus a preferred model for wound-healing studies. Four sets of four wounds on each of two pigs were treated with different concentrations of Homspera and compared with a four-wound control set. Homspera's healing effect was pronounced on both the size of the wound and its rate of closure. The excisions were made through the full thickness of the dermal layers, and then topically treated with Homspera. Homspera stimulated the deposition of collagen, which is the main protein in the body's connective tissue, by increasing the accumulation of fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen. Homspera reduced wound size an average of 21 percent over the control at Day 10, 27 percent at Day 14, and 36 percent at Day 21. Additional research, studies and testing of Homspera will be required to satisfy FDA and other applicable laws and regulations before any conclusions can be made about the use of Homspera for future product development or for human therapeutic treatment.

"Homspera reduces the wound area of full-thickness excisional wounds, likely by increasing fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis and deposition throughout the proliferative and remodeling stages of wound repair," explained Hal Siegel, Ph.D., ImmuneRegen VP and chief scientific officer. "In fact, Homspera may accelerate all phases of wound closure, perhaps stimulating the earliest stages via the hematopoietic stem cell activity previously described."

Said Michael K. Wilhelm, ImmuneRegen president and CEO, "From the results of our various studies, Homspera continues to show remarkable versatility as a stand-alone therapeutic. We are developing a number of formulations for non-military and military uses, such as the spray-on application we are exploring with BioCure, Inc. and the topical gel application we are exploring with DelSite, that we believe will strengthen our position for out-licensing and/or expedited product development for Homspera."

About Bio-Quant, Inc.

Bio-Quant, Inc. is a revenue-generating biotechnology company located in San Diego, Calif., focused on developing proprietary biopharmaceutical drug candidates in the areas of oncology, and microbial and immunological diseases, as well as providing contract preclinical development and drug discovery services to other biopharmaceutical companies. Bio-Quant has several compounds in various stages of preclinical development, as well as relationships with several major biopharmaceutical companies for its services business. Bio-Quant applies its expertise in immunology and oncology toward developing biopharmaceuticals to fight diseases such as brain and colon cancers, lymphoma, leukemia, vitiligo and cirrhosis. For more information, please visit http://www.bio-quant.com.

About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.

ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: IRBS), is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development and licensing of Homspera®, an adult stem cell active compound that in study results has been shown to regenerate and strengthen the immune system and enhance wound healing. To advance its mission, the Scottsdale, Arizona, based company has forged numerous study partnerships with industry and academic leaders, including Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, HemoGenix and Virion Systems, Inc. http://www.immuneregen.com

Statements about ImmuneRegen's future expectations, including statements about the potential use and scientific results for ImmuneRegen's drug candidates, science and technology, 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 that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. ImmuneRegen intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and, together with ImmuneRegen's business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. ImmuneRegen's actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including the fact that results of the studies involved only a small number of Yorkshire pigs, the studies were limited in scope, the uncertainties inherent in research and development collaborations, preclinical and clinical trials and product development programs (including, but not limited to the fact that future results or research and development efforts may prove less encouraging than current results or cause side effects not observed in current preclinical trials), the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures and monies available for further studies, capital market conditions, and others set forth in ImmuneRegen's periodic report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees that any of ImmuneRegen's proposed products will prove to be commercially successful. ImmuneRegen undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.