ORLANDO, Fla., July 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedChip Visibility, a division of RedChip Companies, Inc., has initiated coverage on Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD), a company developing a therapeutic device to treat acute and chronic viral infections, biological warfare pathogens, and other conditions by filtering virus particles and immunosuppressive agents from the blood.
David Webber, M.A., RedChip Research Analyst, reported:
"Aethlon's product, the Hemopurifier(r) filter cartridge, represents a completely novel approach to treating chronic hepatitis C (HCV), a multi-billion-dollar market in the U.S., and could potentially also be used to treat other types of viral infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pandemic avian and swine influenza, bio-terror agents, and cancer.
"The chronic HCV population is estimated to be 3.2 million in the United States and 180 million worldwide. The group that Aethlon is likely to target first for regulatory approval -- the 15% to 48% of kidney failure patients with HCV infections -- represents an attractive commercial gateway because the Hemopurifier is physically compatible with kidney hemodialysis machines and HCV treatment can be administered concurrently with dialysis. Furthermore, there is an existing Medicare reimbursement code for filtration procedures that is likely to apply to the Hemopurifier."
Webber continued: "We are initiating coverage of Aethlon Medical with a 'Speculative Buy' rating and 12-month target price of $1.00 per share."
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To learn more about Aethlon, visit http://www.redchip.com/visibility/investor.asp?symbol=AEMD.
About Aethlon Medical
Aethlon Medical creates diagnostic and therapeutic filtration devices to improve the health of individuals afflicted with infectious disease and cancer. Aethlon's lead product, the Hemopurifier(r), is a first-in-class artificial adjunct to the immune system proven to capture infectious viruses and immunosuppressive particles from the human circulatory system. The device targets to inhibit disease progression of Hepatitis-C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and serves as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against bioterror and emerging pandemic threats. The Hemopurifier(r) also holds promise in cancer care, as research studies verify the Hemopurifier(r) effectively captures immunosuppressive exosomes that are secreted by tumors to kill-off immune cells. At present, over 65 Hemopurifier(r) treatments (representing approximately 260 hours of treatment time) have been conducted in multi-site studies at the Apollo Hospital, Fortis Hospital, and Sigma New-Life Hospital in India. The studies enrolled end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients infected with either HCV or HIV. In addition to establishing treatment safety, robust viral load reductions have been reported in both HCV and HIV infected individuals. Research studies have also demonstrated the Hemopurifier(r) is effective in capturing a broad-spectrum of viruses untreatable with drug therapy, including several of world's deadliest bioterror and pandemic threats. Beyond therapeutic market opportunities, Aethlon is leveraging principles underlying the Hemopurifier(r) technology platform to establish a pipeline of clinical and research diagnostic products and services. Additional information regarding Aethlon Medical can be accessed online at http://www.aethlonmedical.com.
About RedChip Companies, Inc.
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Disclosure
The analysts contributing to this report do not hold any shares of Aethlon Medical, Inc (AEMD). RedChip certifies that no part of the analysts' compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendation or views expressed by the analyst in the report. The equity research report(s) are not a recommendation of a solicitation to purchase or sell any security, nor do they constitute investment advice. AEMD is a client of RedChip Companies, Inc. and of RedChip Visibility, a division of RedChip Companies. AEMD paid RedChip Visibility, a division of RedChip Companies, Inc., one hundred thousand shares of Rule 144 common stock for RedChip Visibility Program services, which includes the preparation of the equity research report(s). The equity research report(s) are prepared for informational purposes only and are paid for by the company portrayed in the report. Information contained in the equity research report(s) is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. RedChip Companies, Inc., is currently engaged by this company to provide investor awareness services. Investor awareness services and programs are designed to help small-cap companies communicate their investment characteristics. These services may include investor conferences, digital and print distribution of AEMD investor-related materials, investor road shows and radio programming. AEMD agreed to pay RedChip Companies, Inc. three hundred thousand shares of Rule 144 common stock for six months of these investor relations services. RedChip Companies, Inc., employees and affiliates may have positions and affect transactions in the securities or options of the issuers mentioned herein.