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|  |  VIRA 38 Fraction (v38 AMF-1) Inhibits Bird Flu Virus (H5N1) Infections by Blocking Viral AttachmentPress Release October 10, 2005 LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- PRB Pharmaceuticals (http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com/) and Lee's Pharmaceuticals (http://www.leespharm.com/) announced today the discovery that v38 AMF-1 inhibits H5N 1 infection by blocking the ability of the virus to attach to cells. Three fractions of v38 AMF-1 were tested against H5N1, the virus responsible for causing avian influenza (bird flu), and all showed excellent potency and selectivity at inhibiting H5N1 uptake and viral infections. The results come from the U.S. arm of an ongoing, multi-national, anti- viral project jointly sponsored by PRB Pharmaceuticals and Lee's Pharmaceuticals. In the first arm of the project, researchers led by Dr. John Tam at the Chinese University of Hong Kong found v38 AMF-1 to be effective against a variety of pathogens, including SARS CoV, the virus responsible for causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. It was subsequently shown that v38 AMF-1 inhibits the 3C-like protease (3CLpro), a crucial part of the SARS virus life cycle. In the second arm of the project, v38 AMF-1 was shown to inhibit H5N1 in chicken embryos. 100% of chicken embryos inoculated with H5N1 and treated with v38 AMF-1 survived while all of those not receiving v38 AMF-1 died within hours. "The finding that v38 AMF-1 blocks H5N1 virus attachment is extremely important as it demonstrates v38 AMF-1 works much differently than the neuraminidase inhibitors Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir)," said Dr. Charles Hensley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PRB Pharmaceuticals. "Tamiflu can only work once the virus has already entered and multiplied inside the cells. This drug's mode of action is less than ideal which may explain why Tamiflu is only marginally effective as a treatment for influenza in humans. v38 AMF-1 keeps the virus out of the cells in the first place." v38 AMF-1 is one component of VIRA 38, PRB Pharmaceuticals' influenza medicine. VIRA 38 is a comprehensive medicine that attacks the virus at multiple points of its life cycle such as viral attachment, uncoating, replication and release. This new paradigm for antiviral medicines generates therapies with greater efficacy and lower incidence of drug resistance. "When it comes to most viruses, the traditional single molecule - single target approach simply does not work," added Hensley. "Viruses such as H5N1 are not static and they are constantly mutating and changing therapeutic targets. These mutations lead to drug resistance commonly seen with most of the antiviral drugs currently in use. The recent issues with Tamiflu and amantidine resistance illustrates this point." About VIRA 38 VIRA 38, PRB Pharmaceuticals' broad-spectrum anti-viral medication, is known for its effectiveness in treating and preventing influenza. VIRA 38 first gained notoriety in 2003 when it was selected for use by the Taiwan Presidential staff and doctors at Sungshan Hospital (SARS management facility) during the SARS outbreak of 2003. About PRB Pharmaceuticals PRB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com/) is based in Southern California and Hong Kong (SAR). PRB Pharmaceuticals is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focusing on therapies against emerging viruses. PRB's Bio-Security laboratories are located in Cypress, California. About Lee's Pharmaceuticals Lee's Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd (http://www.leespharm.com/EN) (Hong Kong Exchange GEM Stock: 8221) distributes VIRA 38 to the Hong Kong market. Lee's is an integrated research-driven and market-oriented pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacture and sales of quality biopharmaceutical products that focus on combating cardiovascular and viral diseases. Web sites: http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com/ http://www.leespharm.com/ Contact information: e-mail: info@prbpharmaceuticals.com North America: 1 (714) 226-0070 1 (714) 226-0076 1 (714) 226-0094 (Fax) Asia: Vivian Fung +852-2314-1282 +852-2314-1708 (Fax) This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/. Source: PRB Pharmaceuticals CONTACT: PRB Pharmaceuticals - North America, +1-714-226-0070, or +1-714-226-0076, or fax, +1-714-226-0094, info@prbpharmaceuticals.com, +or Asia: Vivian Fung of Lee's Pharmaceuticals, +852-2314-1282, or fax, +852-2314-1708
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