GenoMed and Italian NIH to Collaborate in Finding a Cure for Bird Flu in Poultry

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 13 Jul 2004 - 18:00 PDT


GenoMed, Inc, a Next Generation DM™ (Disease Management) company that uses its expertise in medical genomics to improve clinical outcomes in as many species as possible, announced today that it has entered into a multi-year collaborative agreement with Italy's National Institutes of Health, to test GenoMed's patent-pending use of angiotensin II inhibitors to treat avian influenza in poultry.

The agreement calls for all development work to be funded and performed by the Italian NIH, which will also be responsible for locating a commercial partner. GenoMed will enjoy a 30% share in all global revenues from the drug.

Each year, avian influenza viruses kill hundreds of thousands of chickens. Millions more are killed intentionally to halt the spread of infection, with resulting hardship for chicken farmers around the world and often a rise in worldwide chicken prices. Within the past nine months, for example, chicken flocks have been extensively destroyed in Thailand and Vietnam as well as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

GenoMed has applied for patent protection on an inexpensive treatment which should cost only pennies per chicken. If GenoMed's treatment works, it should make the current practice of culling chickens unnecessary. GenoMed's treatment should be rapidly adopted by chicken farmers around the world and used on hundreds of millions of chickens annually.

Said Dr. David Moskowitz, GenoMed's CEO and Chairman, "This promises to be a very profitable public-private sector collaboration, which will benefit the partners and the entire poultry industry, as well as consumers. It follows from our hypothesis that many viral diseases can be cured by blocking angiotensin II."

About GenoMed

GenoMed is leading the worldwide medical revolution which medical genomics has already made possible. In addition to looking for new disease-predisposition genes, the Company is currently marketing its treatment to prevent kidney failure due to diabetes and high blood pressure, and to delay emphysema. GenoMed is currently conducting a global, Internet-based clinical trial against West Nile virus encephalitis. To enroll, just go to www.genomedics.com and click on "West Nile virus trial."

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward looking statements, including those statements pertaining to GenoMed, Inc.'s (the Company's) finances and treatments. The words or phrases "ought to," "should," "could," "may," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: (a) whether our treatment approach works for avian influenza and West Nile virus; (b) our research and development being subject to other economic, regulatory, governmental, and technological factors. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, 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: GenoMed Inc.
David W. Moskowitz, MD, MA, FACP
(314) 652-0500
dwmoskowitz@genomedics.com

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