Hemispherx starts phase 2 flu trial with Ampligen

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., May 15 - Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. has procured the seasonal influenza vaccine it needs to test a placebo versus Ampligen in a phase 2 clinical trial in Australia, where seasonal flu vaccination programs are already well underway for the fall/winter flu season.

Recent preclinical studies reported at biodefense and international influenza symposia suggest that Ampligen may achieve at least two major therapeutic benefits when co-administered with influenza vaccines, according to a news release.

First, in studies conducted with the Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases, protective antibody levels increased up to 100-fold against seasonal influenza viruses. Second, using highly pathogenic lethal avian influenza viruses (HPIV) the researcher found that when co-administered with HPIV vaccines, Ampligen provided cross-protection against variant HPIV strains 100 to 300 fold.

Hemispherx, based in Philadelphia, is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture and clinical development of new drug entities for treatment of viral and immune-based disorders.

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