Medical News

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA October 22, 2003 ?- A research letter entitled “TNF-alpha inhibition for potential therapeutic modulation of SARS coronavirus infection,” authored by Edward Tobinick, MD of Los Angeles, published today online prior to print publication in the peer-reviewed medical journal Current Medical Research and Opinion, Volume 20, No.1, 2004, pp. 39-40. The article can be accessed via the Fast Track link at the CMRO Online portion of the journal’s website at www.cmrojournal.com.

This article describes a theoretical approach to ameliorate the immune-based pulmonary damage which can follow infection with the SARS coronavirus. This approach, which has not previously been described for SARS, has the potential to be used in place of high dose corticosteroids. By doing so it may be possible to avoid the complication of avascular necrosis which has recently been noted following SARS treatment, but still provide a way to lessen or prevent the severe pulmonary involvement which is a hallmark of SARS.

Avascular necrosis is a known complication of corticosteroid therapy but is not thought to occur as a result of the use of biologic TNF inhibitors. This potential new approach has not yet been used for SARS, and the author cautions that further testing in the laboratory and in animals would be prudent prior to using this approach for patients. This further testing is urgently needed.

This press release was issued by Institute Research Associates, A [private Medical Group, Inc., 100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suites 205-210, Los Angeles, California 90095 which is solely responsible for its contents. This press release is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a treatment recommendation for SARS without completion of the testing which would be necessary to confirm both the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Note: The author has been awarded a U.S. patent (6,419,934 B1, filed September 5, 2000) which has issued claims covering the treatment of influenza with TNF inhibitors; he has also filed a patent application covering the use of TNF inhibitors for the treatment of SARS.

Press Release: For Distribution October 22, 2003.

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Researchers discovered the vulnerability of cats and ferrets to SARS while searching for animals to test potential vaccines. But we still do not know if the animals can pass the virus to people. Although reports have stated that at this time, pet owners should be alarmed, there are two disturbing factors:

First, the continuous, killing of cats, dogs and other animals in China, which by the way has been going on for months. In April and May, the Beijing government was rounding up dogs and cats from SARS patients’ homes and killing them for fear these canines and felines will spread the deadly disease. Even so, individual, Chinese pet owners who did not have SARS or were in no contact with SARS patients were dropping their dogs and cats at Chinese veterinary clinics to have them put down. One man even threw his Pekingese off the balcony suspecting it had SARS.

Second, the issue, which should be of concern for Americans, is that many U.S. animal shelters are searching from Puerto Rico to Taiwan to fill kennels. Dogs coming into the U.S. need certificates of good health and proof of rabies shots. They are not required to be quarantined. So far, the importation of disease is not a problem but the prospect of importing disease is a series one. What makes it most frightening is that unless you are looking for something specific, you wouldn’t know a pet is carrying the SARS virus until it is too late.

The other disturbing factor is that the government has shown more respect for social customs and individual interest, including pet ownership. In September, China’s capital loosened rules on dog ownership, slashing registration fees up to 80 percent and transferring supervision form police to neighborhood committees. Dog ownership, banned under the rule of the late Mao Zedong as a bourgeois practice, was legalized only a few years ago as a higher living standard and has allowed many people to afford pets. Now, many Chinese people will not want to have or be able to enjoy the health and social benefits of having a pet for fear of contracting SARS.

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January 15 2004–The therapeutic vaccine market is in its infancy with no significant products launched across the seven major markets. Despite the unproven nature of the sector in terms of market potential, it is commanding considerable interest across the biotechnology industry. Indeed. Datamonitor has identified 65 companies developing therapeutic vaccines, with 167 products in development.

Scope

Benchmarking of the current and future vaccine market, by technology and therapeutic focus, in terms of number of projects and dollar value

Assesses the steps that emerging players are taking to increase innovation in their businesses, integrate supply chain and improve strategic position

Analysis of market trends and future opportunities for both biotech and pharmaceutical players, with supporting case studies

Full profiles of 6 leading therapeutic vaccine players, encompassing company strategy, alliance networking, portfolio and pipeline analysis

Report Highlights

The therapeutic vaccine market will not receive significant attention from the wider pharmaceutical industry until a product is launched and achieves significant uptake across the seven major markets. The most likely drug to achieve this is Dendreon?s Provenge, although Dendreon must recruit a marketing partner before this can be achieved.

For companies that are totally focused on therapeutic vaccines, the only way to survive is through a strong network of partners. The unproven technology behind therapeutic vaccines, combined with the number of setbacks that the leading products have encountered, is inhibiting therapeutic vaccine companies? abilities to form partnerships.

Oncology dominates therapeutic vaccines both in terms of commercial potential and pipeline development. Colorectal, melanoma and prostate cancer have the most therapeutic vaccines in development. However, the therapeutic vaccine early stage pipeline is split across more therapy areas, with an increased focus on infectious disease, CNS and HIV.

This report is designed to:

Benchmark your position within the vaccine market and identify the optimum strategy for future success

Forecast how advances in science and changes in the commercial environment will offer new opportunities to benefit from therapeutic vaccines

Identify key pipeline products for in-licensing opportunities as well as areas of unmet need

For a complete index of this report click on http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/42628

About Research and Markets Ltd.
Research and Markets Ltd. are Europe’s largest resource for market research. R&M distribute thousands of major research publications from the world’s leading publishers, consultants and market analysts. R&M provide you with the latest forecasts on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest market trends.

For additional information on ResearchandMarkets.com, their range of reports or their value-added services, visit their web site at http://www.researchandmarkets.com or mailto:press@researchandmarkets.com

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September 4, 2004 — Our Life, Our Dream is that the HIV/AIDS virus stop infecting our humankind…living until the day we are dedicated to educating all about the virus. The love of fighting this epidemic, the bracelet represents One Earth uniting people to fight HIV and AIDS. The bracelet is designed to help humankind recognize awareness of the virus.

LIVING for awareness that will change all odds

LIVING to educate City-to-City, State-to-State,
and Country-to-Country

LIVING for the day the researchers cheer

LIVING for a cure

The red “LIVING FOR A CURE” wristband symbolizes awareness among humankind in promoting a consciousness about this devastating disease. Our mission is to reduce the number of individuals infected daily by raising the nations level of awareness of the HIV/AIDS virus.

The AIDS epidemic remains a serious health concern with devastating consequences for society. HIV and AIDS do not discriminate. It is devastating to people of all ages, race, genders, religions and nationalities. The disease can reach each of us in the most innocent of ways and that is what makes it so dangerous. Over 42 million men, women and children are currently living with HIV/AIDS, and the disease continues to spread.

Now more then ever before the challenge to stop the AIDS epidemic is paramount. Considering the facts, preventive AIDS education is critically needed in African American communities. While there is no cure at this time–only treatment–for the AIDS virus, prevention is still the only cure. AIDS education works!

The involvement of Corporate Leaders, Organizations, CEO’s, Educator’s, Health Organizations, Entertainers, Celebrities, Community Leaders, Government Leaders, Church Leaders, and Business Owners can make a significant difference in promoting awareness of HIV/AIDS in African American communities. Support One Earth Foundation’s National HIV/AIDS Campaign by ordering a “Living for a Cure” RED Awareness Wristband for yourself, friends, co-workers, family members, and employee’s–and “PASS THE RIBBON”

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(RPWEB) February 11, 2004–FACES (Friends And Caregivers, Encephalitis Survivors) represents a strong and dedicated group of people striving to share information and support, and to raise awareness on the topic of encephalitis. Previous Conferences held in Ottawa Canada, and Las Vegas Nevada, welcomed survivors, caregivers and loved ones from India and Great Britain, as well as Canada and the United States.

Visit Encephalitis Global at http://www.encephalitisglobal.com and click on FACES 2004 to find registration information. Or contact:

Sherry Drescher - Worcester, MA
email:Sd1098@aol.com

Wendy Station ? Vancouver Canada
email:wendystation@shaw.ca
(604) 980-2236
Encephalitis Global - http://www.encephalitisglobal.com

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Plant City, FL May 29, 2004 — The Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation continues to collect post-marketing reports regarding the non-abating nature of the severe and crippling (and at times fatal) adverse drug reactions associated with fluoroquinolone therapy via the Internet. Since one of the first such forums went on line back in 1999, over five years worth of horror stories regarding the damage these drugs can and will do have been forwarded to the FDA. In spite of the overwhelming evidence of such severe and at times fatal adverse reactions, the FDA continues to refuse to take action. In a recent letter received from the FDA, Frances T. Gipson, FACHE Office of Executive Programs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, states that ??we will weigh all risks and benefits associated with Fluoroquinolone Class Drugs prior to taking any additional action?We will continue to monitor future adverse events reported to us.? To add insult to injury regarding such inaction by the FDA, Gipson also states ??It was also noted that the majority of those adverse events reported are well-known side effects of the Fluoroquinolone class of drugs??

For more than forty years, since the introduction of Nalidixic Acid in 1962, the victims of fluoroquinolone toxicity have been reporting such ?well-known side effects?, only to be denied the medical care they so desperately need as their physicians have routinely failed to recognize, treat and report such events. Peripheral Neuropathy, spontaneous tendon rupture, severe and non abating joint and tendon damage, as well as fatalities resulting from such toxicity, are all known, listed and published adverse drug reactions to these chemotherapeutic agents, commonly referred to as fluoroquinolones or quinolones. Yet the victims continue to be told by their physicians ?it cannot be the drug? and the FDA continues to ?monitor future adverse events.?

We now add yet another such site from the Internet to our never-ending list. This new site, www.fqvictims.org, is the result of numerous victims joining together in an effort to draw media attention to those of us who are left outside the city gates, like lepers to be pitied and ignored. There you will find numerous case histories, posted in the very words of the victims themselves, which describe the horrific suffering they or their loved ones have endured as a direct result of the FDA?s failure to prevent such carnage. You will also find postings regarding those who have forfeited their lives due to the rampant ignorance regarding the adverse reactions associated with these chemotherapeutic agents. Those who continue to doubt the validity of such reports are invited to witness first hand the suffering endured by one such victim as you will find a video of his suffering on this site. Be forewarned this is not for the faint hearted.

In spite of the overwhelming evidence of the non-abating nature of such injuries, the FDA continues to approve new drugs within this class together with new indications for those already on the market. Ignoring the thousands of such reports we have collected over the past five years. 5,276 reports that include 473 associated deaths and 19,792 total reactions can be found within the AERS reports for Levofloxacin. Together with the 4,995 reports which include 480 associated deaths and 20,890 total reactions found within the AERS reports for Ciprofloxacin as well. (Adverse Event Reporting System maintained by the FDA) Yet, Mr. MacCarthy, Vice President of U.S. Medical Science at Bayer?s West Haven facility states ?If you are telling me that someone had these effects and they were persisting, long term, months to years after treatment I would be surprised.? Those within the media who have an interest in interviewing those who ?had these effects and they were persisting, long term, months to years after treatment? are welcomed to visit this new website as well as the other such sites found on the web. Mr. MacCarthy apparently cannot be bothered to take the time to do so.

The recent addition of www.fqvictims.org only emphasizes the fact that such adverse reactions experienced by such victims have shown to be both persistent and non-abating, ?year after year?, contrary to what Mr. MacCarthy has stated publicly. Since 1999, over five years ago, we now have added over five different sites to our list. All dealing with what Mr. MacCarthy continues to claim to have no knowledge of. Perhaps he may wish to read the postings under ?In Fond Memory Of? on the fqvictims site. It has been stated that ?dead men tell no tales? but thanks to the efforts of those involved with bringing this new site on line; they have been given a chance to do exactly that. For you will find post after post detailing the horrendous manner in which such fatalities related to the careless and thoughtless use of these dangerous drugs, have occurred. No doubt Mr. MacCarthy has no knowledge of the permanent nature of such reactions either. Over a thousand documented fatalities, forty thousand severe adverse reactions, four thousand medical journal entries, five new adverse reaction websites, five years worth of post marketing reports, and the FDA continues to state that they intend to ?continue to monitor future adverse events reported to us?. The victims continue to report the carnage, yet no one is listening. Perhaps with this new site, somebody, somewhere, will.

For additional information:
http://www.fqresearch.org

About the Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation
The foundation is a non-profit Internet community consisting of those who have suffered irreversible and non-abating injury as a direct result of fluoroquinolone therapy. The foundation is dedicated to presenting the research regarding these issues in the hope of preventing such injury to others and to make such research readily available to those who have shown a prior interest. We strive to present accurate and up to date information to the victims of such scripting abuse so that they may be in a position to receive the medical care such rampant ignorance has denied them. Such documentation is readily available via the forum or the homepage www.fqresearch.org

Contact Information
D Fuller
Director
The Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation
http://www.fqresearch.org

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TAIPEI, Taiwan February 7, 2004–Every year the economic and healthcare burdens from flu and cold illnesses are tremendous. Now we are confronted with the rapid spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in several areas in Asia. Health officials around the world are now closely monitoring the spread of avian influenza and particularly officials in Asian countries are sounding alarms to warn the general populations that the so-called “bird flu” presents a risk of evolving into an efficient and dangerous human pathogen. The possible pandemic could be a threat to human health and a disaster for agricultural production.

According to the health authorities at World Health Organization (WHO), there are seven countries in Asia including Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Indonesia that have confirmed cases of H5N1. H5N1 is a subtype of the Type A influenza virus. Wild birds are the natural hosts of the virus but the virus has proven deadly to poultry and human. Deaths have been reported in humans exposed to the virus in Thailand and Vietnam. What could we do to improve the situation? Currently there are no vaccine available to fight against H5N1. However, four prescription drugs are available for flu prevention. These are the M2 inhibitors (amantadine and rimantadine) and the neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanimivir). These drugs have been approved for the prevention and treatment of human influenza in some countries, and are thought to be effective regardless of the causative strain.

Recent research collaboration in algae science between Far East Biotech Company (FEBICO) and Dr. Shin-Ru Shih of Clinical Virology at Chang Kung University (Taiwan) has shown that the protein extract from microalgae has high in vitro antiviral activities. According to Dr. Shih, the extract is capable of inhibiting influenza Type A replication. In-vitro studies also show that the lethal concentration (LC50) of the extract is similar to popular anti-flu prescription medicine (oseltamivir). In other words, the extract effectively inhibited influenza Type A and with minimal side effects.

These studies further confirm previous research on microalgae extract in inhibiting influenza type A and B and Enterovirus 71. The results were published in prestigious peer reviewed journal, Journal of Medical Virology (May, 2003). US Patent was obtained for methods describing the inhibitory effects. The Company is looking into the potential of a drug candidate for the protein extract. According to James Hsieh, supervisor of business development at FEBICO, “?the natural microalgae protein extract is being offer as natural health supplement” which is a less expensive alternative to other preventative treatments. The health supplement has been formulated to help boost the immune system and, according to in vitro studies, prevent influenza virus infections.

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