WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The synthetic vaccine platform technology of Generex Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq:GNBT) (www.generex.com) was featured last week at the first International Swine Flu Conference in Washington, DC.
Douglas M. Powell, PhD, director of immunobiology at Antigen Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Generex, was a featured panelist in an August 20 discussion that addressed best practices to prepare for the approaching flu season and respond to the pandemic threat posed by the H1N1 virus. The complete panel is archived at C-SPAN.org; Powell's segment begins at 1:03:55: http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/08/20/HP/A/22309/International+Swine+Flu+Conference+Day+2.aspx.
Powell explained the advantages of dealing with a pandemic virus by developing next-generation vaccines, such as Generex's synthetic platform, which can be mass-produced using existing technology, more quickly and at lower cost than egg-based vaccines. Powell noted that this process could help prevent infection and/or limit the severity of H1N1 in humans.
Traditional egg-based vaccines take months to develop and rely on live virus, which always carries the risk of infecting rather than inoculating. Generex's proprietary synthetic vaccine platform does not use live virus, but instead arranges peptides to create a "snapshot" of the virus that activates the body's T-cells to fight off the foreign invader, completely eliminating any risk of infection.
Generex's vaccine platform is already in various stage clinical trials for avian flu, as well as prostate, breast and ovarian cancers, melanomas, SARS and HIV/AIDS.
In addition to the company's vaccine platform technology, Generex has developed a range of products based on their proprietary RapidMist(TM) platform technology for drug delivery through the inner lining of the mouth, ensuring that there is no deposit in the lungs. The company's flagship product, Generex Oral-lyn(TM) is an oral insulin spray product for the treatment of Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes, available to patients in certain overseas markets and in Phase III global clinical trials. Generex has also developed and markets a variety of over-the-counter products.
About Generex Biotechnology Corporation
Generex is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of drug delivery systems and technologies. Generex has developed a proprietary platform technology for the delivery of drugs into the human body through the oral cavity (with no deposit in the lungs). The Company's proprietary liquid formulations allow drugs typically administered by injection to be absorbed into the body by the lining of the inner mouth using the Company's proprietary RapidMist(TM) device. The Company's flagship product, oral insulin (Generex Oral-lyn(TM)), which is available for sale in India and Ecuador for the treatment of subjects with Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes, is in Phase III clinical trials at several sites around the world. For more information, visit the Generex website at http://www.generex.com.
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Safe Harbor Statement
This release and oral statements made from time to time by Generex representatives in respect of the same subject matter may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as "expects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "will," "estimates," "forecasts," "projects," or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in discussing potential product applications, potential collaborations, product development activities, clinical studies, regulatory submissions and approvals, and similar operating matters. Many factors may cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Generex with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered together with any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue reliance on such statements. Generex undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Generex cannot be sure when or if it will be permitted by regulatory agencies to undertake additional clinical trials or to commence any particular phase of clinical trials. Because of this, statements regarding the expected timing of clinical trials cannot be regarded as actual predictions of when Generex will obtain regulatory approval for any "phase" of clinical trials. Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements that is contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.