New RNA Drug "Ampligen" and MS?

[michaelw at ksg1.harvard.edu]

  This press release is somewhat of a puzzle.
It mentions a new "RNA drug" called Ampligen that
appears to have antiviral properties and the article
says "in the treatment of hepatitis B, multiple
sclerosis, and certain cancers" It is unclear
why an antiviral drug might be useful in treating
MS. Does anyone know anything about this?

  PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- 
HemispheRx Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: HEMXU) 
("HEM") announced today that it has successfully 
completed the first production runs at a nucleic 
acid manufacturing plant being started up near 
Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of a strategic 
alliance with Bioclones Proprietary, an affiliated 
company of the South African Breweries Limited 
(NYSE: SBWRY) ("SAB"). 

    Ampligen(R) the initial RNA drug produced 
by the new state-of-the- art biotechnology facility, 
has been studied in diverse clinical settings, and 
peer reviewed medical articles have established 
clinical antiviral activity for the drug in such 
diseases as hepatitis B, multiple sclerosis, and 
certain cancers. HEM is currently evaluating the 
first lot in its Rockville, Maryland, facilities 
to determine conformance with international 
manufacturing and regulatory standards. 

    More than 10% of South Africans are affected 
with hepatitis or AIDS, which are major target 
indications for the RNA drug technology. 

    The strategic alliance agreement between HEM 
and Bioclones provides for a $3 million cash 
payment to HEM, which has already been funded, 
and the formation and issuance to HEM of 24.9% 
of the capital stock of a company which shall 
develop and operate the new manufacturing 
facility for RNA drugs which is being constructed 
by SAB/Bioclones and jointly owned by the three 
companies. The South African facility will supply 
southern hemisphere countries, complementing HEMU's 
North American manufacturing operations.  William 
Carter, CEO and Chairman of HEM, is the HEM designee 
to the joint management committee of the manufacturing 
facility. Previously, Dr. Carter developed beta 
interferon in the United States under the first 
FDA recognized beta interferon IND. 

 

CO:  HemispheRx Biopharma, Inc. 

ST:  Pennsylvania 

IN:  MTC 

SU: