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Amarillo Biosciences Files Patent Application to Treat Chronic Cough with Oral Interferon
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Amarillo, TX -- Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (ABI) (OTCBB: AMAR) today announced that it has filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with claims to methods of treating chronic coughing by administering interferon orally to diminish cough duration, frequency and intensity (now published as US Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0237723). Although the examples in the patent application described a method of treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and Sjogren’s syndrome, it is claimed that interferon will reduce coughing in many disease conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
"Because of the size of the chronic cough market, this is the most important patent application that the company has ever submitted to the U. S. Patent Office," said Dr. Joseph Cummins, President and CEO of Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. "Up to 30 million people in the United States suffer from COPD. Millions more suffer from asthma and post-viral cough. The vast majority of these patients have a chronic cough which is not relieved by over-the-counter cough remedies," said Dr. Cummins.
A study to confirm the efficacy of oral interferon in the treatment of chronic cough will be launched in January at a major Texas university. This Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 40 COPD patients is expected to be completed in mid 2008.
About Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.
Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. is a U.S. biotechnology firm operating in global partnership with the Hayashibara Group, which also holds 12% of Amarillo Biosciences’ shares and has provided over $18 million in loans, grants and equity investments. The company's primary focus is extensive and ongoing R&D into the use of low-dose, orally administered interferon as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including Sjogren's syndrome, Behcet’s disease, and opportunistic infections in patients who are HIV positive. In its 23-year history, the company has invested nearly $38 million to establish oral interferon as a therapeutic agent. The majority of those funds were invested in clinical trials in an effort to achieve FDA approval for interferon. Additional information is available at http://www.amarbio.com/.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties related to product development, uncertainties related to the need for regulatory and other government approvals, dependence on proprietary technology, uncertainty of market acceptance of oral interferon or the Company’s other product candidates and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see "Item 1. Description of Business" of the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006.
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