A Phase 2 clinical trial of ABI's low-dose oral interferon is ongoing in Australia in healthy volunteers exposed to the H1N1 influenza virus and other respiratory viruses during the local influenza season. That study is expected to validate results of human clinical trials published years ago, which suggested that low dose interferon given orally or intranasally is safe and effective against influenza virus. Results of this important study are expected before the end of the year. ABI recently announced that clinical trials testing low-dose oral interferon as treatment of influenza are planned in India. ABI is also planning influenza studies in other countries, including the USA.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the worldwide manufacturing capacity for influenza vaccine is 3 billion doses (www.who.int), meaning that vaccine offers protection against pandemic H1N1 influenza to less than half of the world's 6.8 billion inhabitants. Anti-viral drugs are needed to help treat the disease. The timely presentations by Professors Haller and Planz add support to ABI's contention that low-dose oral interferon is a safe and effective antiviral therapy against influenza.

SOURCE: Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.