Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. Receives Approval of Patent Claims - Treatment of Thrombocytopenia Using Orally Administered Interferon
Amarillo, TX, October 6, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (ABI) (OTCBB: AMAR), today announced that eight claims of its latest patent application, which apply the use of low-dose oral interferon to the reversal of Thrombocytopenia, have been allowed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The patent is expected to issue before year end, 2016. ABI has full rights to exploit this patent in the U.S., Africa, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and certain other smaller markets.
“Approval of this patent signifies a very important milestone for ABI and for medicine,” said Dr. Stephen T. Chen, Chairman and CEO of the Company. “Low dose oral interferon has been proven to be extremely safe for human therapies. Furthermore, our low-dose oral interferon has shown very positive results in various clinical trials. Issuance of this patent will expedite the development and commercialization of the new treatment and usher the product into global markets.”
Approval of this patent signifies a very important milestone for ABI and for medicine. Low dose oral interferon has been proven to be extremely safe for human therapies. Furthermore, our low-dose oral interferon has shown very positive results in various clinical trials. Issuance of this patent will expedite the development and commercialization of the new treatment and usher the product into global markets.
Dr. Stephen T. Chen, Chairman and CEO
Thrombocytopenia is a blood system disorder in which there is a reduction in the thrombocyte (platelet) count caused by suppression of bone marrow, the blood-producing organs. The use of high-dose injectable interferon, chemotherapies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), penicillin, antibiotics and other strong, harsh medicines used in the treatment of diseases and chronic conditions, cause such an effect on the bone marrow and platelets. Platelets play the key role in the formation of blood clots which prevent and stop hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding) from a ruptured or injured blood vessel. Thrombocytopenia increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding, which could become fatal if it occurs in the head (intracranial areas) or from the lining of the stomach or somewhere else in the gastrointestinal system.
Although not yet approved by U.S. FDA, ABI believes that low-dose oral interferon will prove to be a safe and affordable treatment for people with severe or life-threatening thrombocytopenia. Current treatments are effective but expensive and come with serious side effects and surgical risks. Such treatments include Immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) given through a vein, plasma exchange (plasmapheresis), platelet transfusions, and corticosteroid medicine.
The scientific proof for this patent came out of a clinical trial conducted in Taiwan between 2009 and 2012. This trial was designed to use low dose oral interferon to help prevent viral recurrence in hepatitis C patients who have received the combination conventional therapy – high-dose injectable interferon-α and ribavirin. As a result of receiving this therapy, numerous patients suffered thrombocytopenia. Surprisingly, platelet counts of one treatment group, in which patients received 500IU of low dose oral interferon daily, quickly recovered back to the normal range within 4 weeks and the patients experienced almost no adverse side effects. The results were highly statistically significant (p = 0.003).
“ABI is very confident that low dose oral interferon will prove to be far superior to those thrombocytopenia drugs currently on the market. We are actively seeking partnerships in future development opportunities,” added Dr. Chen.
About Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (www.amarbio.com)
Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (ABI) is a Texas corporation formed in 1984 that engaged in developing biologics for the treatment of human and animal diseases. Such human disease research includes influenza, hepatitis C, Chronic Cough in COPD, thrombocytopenia caused by other diseases and as a side effect of treatment of other diseases, and other disease indications using natural human interferon alpha that is administered in a proprietary low dose oral form. ABI has conducted more than 100 pre-clinical (animal) and human studies on the safety and efficacy of low-dose orally administered interferon. The Company is aggressively seeking partners with which to build relationships for new areas of discovery and expansion.
The Company has reorganized and restructured into three business units: the Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Consumer Product Divisions. These divisions will serve to create multiple revenue streams through the implementation of programs (including but not limited to in-licensing) of novel medical and health care products and processes. The overall operating strategy is for ABI to create a world-wide network of strategic alliances capitalizing on advanced and emerging technologies in order to engineer a diversified enterprise having a major impact on every aspect of the healthcare and life sciences industries. In addition, assemble an exhaustive pipeline of technologically-advanced, cutting edge products and services with which to compete in the American and Asian markets.
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 (including geographic placement of products) and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Relations: Bernard Cohen
Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. Tel: 806-376-1741 Extension 16
Fax: 806-376-9301
E-mail: bcohen@amarbio.com
Source: Amarillo Biosciences, Inc.