Immunitor presentation at Keystone Symposium

Immunitor Corporation based in Thailand presented promising data from its phase II AIDS vaccine trial at the annual Keystone Symposium 'HIV Vaccine Development: Immunological and Biological Challenges held on March 29 - April 4, 2003 at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta, Canada.

Immunitor Corporation based in Thailand presented promising data from its phase II AIDS vaccine trial at the annual Keystone Symposium 'HIV Vaccine Development: Immunological and Biological Challenges held on March 29 - April 4, 2003 at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta, Canada.

In the study presented last week (Abstract #305), Immunitor and its collaborating clinical team led by Dr. Orapun Metadilogkul of Bangkoks Rajavithi Public Hospital demonstrated that its oral HIV vaccine produced highly significant increase in CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte counts. 'V-1 Immunitor: Oral Therapeutic AIDS Vaccine with Prophylactic Potential presented in a poster session by Dr. Aldar S. Bourinbaiar, the Scientific Director of Immunitor, provided further safety data in support of polyvalent HIV vaccine. Presented findings support earlier clinical findings relating to this vaccine, which has previously been used primarily as a therapeutic AIDS vaccine by 65,000 patients in over 50 countries. Further details on this placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial can be found in January 30, 2003 issue of VACCINE (Vol. 21(7-8): pages 624-628). The link to the abstract of the article is as follows: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12531330&dopt=Abstract

V-1 Immunitor is a cocktail of fragments of HIV proteins derived from a large pool of primary isolates from HIV carriers. These protein fragments or antigens are harmless since they are inactivated by heat and chemical means and are then formulated into a tablet. When taken orally, V1 produces an immune response on mucosal surfaces as evidenced by rising T cell counts. Since HIV also enters the body through the mucosal surface of genital organs, a proper immunological response at the site of virus entry is the best chance to prevent infection in a rational manner. The vaccine as designed offers unique advantages: (1) it is safe; (2) has a broad-spectrum activity against many HIV subtypes; (3) very large quantities can be manufactured at low cost; (4) it is stable for 3 years at ambient tropical temperature, thus eliminating the need for refrigerated storage and reducing the cost of transportation; (5) it is easy to administer (no syringes and no risk of being infected with contaminated needles); and (6) it does not require specially trained personnel for mass-vaccination campaigns. Currently, no other oral AIDS vaccine is available that has been utilized in humans. The Immunitors HIV vaccine, the first of its kind to originate from a developing country, is currently manufactured in Thailand. V-1 Immunitor is licensed by the Thai FDA as a food supplement.

A clinical trial is planned to begin later this year in Africa. The company has also begun collaborations with academic institutions and initiated partnerships with companies whose proprietary antigens can be formulated with Immunitors technology to form orally available vaccines.

Mr. Vichai Jirathitikal, President of Immunitor said: 'Our companys key focus is on the development of novel vaccines for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer. We have developed a considerable experience working in the field of oral delivery of antigens and specific experience in the manipulation of mucosal immunity which plays an essential role in the regulation of the body's immune system. We are now facing the exciting opportunity that our therapeutic products may become useful as effective prophylactic vaccines.

For further details contact: info@immunitor.com.