A month ago, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology suggested a "plausible scenario" that 40% of the US population could be infected by the H1N1 virus, which, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is widespread in 27 states and regional in 18 other states. Even though the "2009-2010 influenza season" didn't officially begin until October 4, there have already been 60 pediatric deaths attributed to the H1N1 virus in the US.

"Influenza viruses mutate to evade the effects of anti-viral drugs. Influenza viruses do not mutate to evade interferon, but instead they have a strategy to sabotage the host interferon system. By giving people interferon orally, we believe we can overcome this viral strategy. It is my belief that low-dose oral interferon will be a beneficial therapy of all influenza viruses, not just the H1N1 strain," said Dr. Joseph M. Cummins, President and CEO of ABI.

SOURCE: Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.