IBioPharma's Pandemic Flu Vaccine Effective In Ferret Model

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 14 Jan 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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iBioPharma, Inc. (OTCBB:IBPM) today announced positive results from preclinical immunogenicity and efficacy studies of the Company's H5N1 subunit vaccine candidates. The studies were performed in ferrets, which are the preferred animal model for testing the efficacy of candidate influenza vaccines prior to human clinical trials. "We are revising the Company's previous forecast by giving a higher priority to clinical development of our pandemic flu vaccine candidates," said Robert B. Kay, Chairman and CEO of iBioPharma.

Vaccine candidates based on hemagglutinin (HA) molecules from three WHO recommended H5N1 strains were produced in iBioPharma's proprietary plant-based platform. These HA antigens showed specific reactivity to antiserum raised against homologous virus and stimulated considerable serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralizing (VN) antibody titers when administered to mice. In addition, ferrets immunized with plant-produced HA antigen from the Indonesia strain were protected against challenge with homologous virus.

Since vaccination continues to be the most effective first line of defense against influenza, the availability of an effective H5N1 vaccine is the cornerstone of pandemic preparedness. iBioPharma's technology, with its speed and cost efficiency, holds the potential to provide vaccines in emergency situations, such as a pandemic. This technology was developed by Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology and is an alternative approach to the current influenza vaccine production technologies. iBioPharma has exclusive rights to the proprietary platform for human health and its applications for developing vaccines against a broad range of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens.

About iBioPharma, Inc.

iBioPharma (OTCBB:IBPM) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on vaccines and therapeutic antibodies developed and produced using its proprietary plant-based technologies.

Statements included in this release related to iBioPharma, Inc. may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as competitive factors, technological development, market demand, and the Company's ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenues due to variability in size, scope and duration of projects. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect the Company's financial results can be found in the company's Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

iBioPharma, Inc.