Immunitor attends All-African Immunology Congress in Zimbabwe

Immunitor Corporation based in Thailand presented its latest data from its ongoing oral AIDS vaccine (V-1 Immunitor) trials at the 5th Congress of the Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS) held on April 27- May 2, 2003 at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The oral presentation by the Scientific Director, Dr. Aldar S. Bourinbaiar, has received warm welcome and tremendous interest from African immunologists and their colleagues on other continents. The presentation summarized the scientific rationale for V1 and clinical findings from 65,000 patients in over 60 countries. The presented work was a result of joint effort of Immunitor scientists with the clinical team led by Dr. Orapun Metadilogkul of Bangkoks Rajavithi Public Hospital, of the Thai Ministry of Public Health.

During the conference Immunitor had initiated and also followed up on already established collaboration with researchers and doctors in Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Gambia, Lesotho, Kenya, Mauritania, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Plans to build local vaccine production facilities utilizing Immunitors platform technology was also discussed as part of the future cooperation and development. It is anticipated that sharing of technology between developing countries in Asia and Africa will be synergistic and mutually beneficial for all involved parties.

V-1 Immunitor is a cocktail of fragments of HIV proteins derived from a large pool of primary isolates from blood of 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. Safe and affordable antiviral treatment is still beyond reach of 99.9% of AIDS patients in Africa. A private Thai biopharmaceutical company, Immunitor Corp., has developed an oral therapeutic AIDS vaccine called V1. In less than 2 years since the launch of V1 in Thailand, 65,000 AIDS patients have benefited from it. The published evidence in peer-reviewed medical literature and clinical experience in 60 countries worldwide has shown that V1 is safe and effective in alleviating symptoms of HIV/AIDS.

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 tropical temperature, thus eliminating the need for refrigerated storage and transportation; (5) it is easy to administer (no syringes and no risk of being infected with contaminated needles); (6) it does not require specially trained personnel for mass-vaccination campaigns; (7) the cost of setting a vaccine plant is low and feasible even in the least developed country.

Except V1 no other AIDS vaccine is commercially available in any part of the world. In addition Immunitors vaccine is the first of its kind to originate from a developing country. Immunitor has pending licenses in several African countries which are expected to be approved shortly.

Mr. Vichai Jirathitikal, President of Immunitor said: 'Our company is a tiny, private company which has independently developed and currently manufactures four types of oral vaccines with little or no support from my government. We are very glad to see the keen interest from so many countries in Africa, whose economies and lives are affected by an AIDS epidemic worse than in Thailand. Our main focus is to establish long-lasting and mutually beneficial cooperation with governments, academic institutions, private sector, and AIDS NGOs in Africa. We seek to produce vaccines jointly so that our partners can be self-reliant and have their own affordable and safe means to fight diseases and economic crises common in our part of the world. We have developed a considerable experience working with our African colleagues and are looking forward to share the success. V1 can be now found in 23 countries in Africa but we are always welcome inquiries and collaboration proposals from other countries. V1 is not a cure but is the best you can find today.

For further details contact: info@immunitor.com