NewsIMMUNE NETWORK RESEARCH LTD ("IMM-V") - Initiates Hepatitis C Research
Allen I. Bain, President & CEO of Immune Network Research Ltd. announced that it is initiating
research at a Canadian university, to explore the application of its immunomodulation program to the
development of a potential new therapy for hepatitis C infection.
With an estimated 3.9 million Americans infected, the hepatitis C virus is a major cause of liver
disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in the United States. At present, the only therapy that has
consistently demonstrated any benefit is interferon-alpha, which is used alone or in combination with
ribavirin. However, interferon therapy is expensive, poorly tolerated, and does not always result in a
favorable long-term response. Immune Network has already established the potential of the
immunomodulation approach in the treatment of HIV infection. The evidence from these studies
suggests that a similar approach may be effective in treating hepatitis C infection. Scientific Advisory
Network member, Dr. Michael Grant of Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada, will spearhead
this research program.
"There are certain similarities between the interaction of the immune system with both hepatitis C virus
and HIV", said Dr. Grant. "Our approach to immunomodulation in AIDS may also represent an
important new modality for treatment of hepatitis C infection."
Other viral infections targeted by Immune Network drug candidates include human immunodeficiency
virus (the 1F7 project), and herpes virus (MTCH-24). Herpes infection and treatment will be the topic
of an upcoming online discussion at https://my.webmd.com/content/article/1709.51197.com