BLOOMFIELD, N.J., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alfacell Corporation today announced new data highlighting the definitive antiviral activity of AC 03-636, one of the Company’s novel drug candidates from its proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology platform.
The in vitro studies were conducted by scientists at a major research institute for tropical diseases as part of a collaboration with Alfacell. The methodology used was a cell-based infection assay based on immunodetection of the Dengue fever antigen. The researchers found that AC 03-636 displayed meaningful antiviral activity in both BHK21 (animal) and A549 (human) cell lines, and that its potency was “quite considerable compared to the reference compounds.”
Dengue fever is a mosquito-born infection. In recent years, Dengue fever has become a major global healthcare burden. The World Health Organization estimates that 50 million cases occur each year. There are no approved or effective antiviral agents against the Dengue virus.
Andrew Aromando, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Operations at Alfacell, stated, “We are very pleased to have new proof-of-concept data on the antiviral activity of AC 03-636. Previously, researchers at The National Institutes of Health found that AC 03-636 was ‘markedly active’ against the virus causing Yellow fever, another mosquito-born disease. We look forward to further studies supporting the potential therapeutic utility of AC-03 636, and to exploring its broad commercial applications as a promising antiviral product.”
About Alfacell Corporation
Alfacell Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, using its proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology platform. ONCONASE(R) (ranpirnase), Alfacell’s lead investigational drug candidate, is currently being evaluated in several studies, including a Phase IIIb trial for malignant mesothelioma (MM) and a Phase I / II trial in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). For more information, please visit www.alfacell.com.
About Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection, causing fever and severe joint pain, hemorrhage and shock in some cases and, in the most severe cases, death. It is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions across five continents. The World Health Organization estimates that 50 million cases occur each year, requiring 500,000 hospitalizations. The global prevalence of Dengue fever has risen dramatically, and the disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, and the Eastern Mediterranean, with the most serious outbreaks found in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Presently, there is no known cure or vaccine for Dengue fever.
This press release includes statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements, usually containing the words “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, uncertainties involved in transitioning from concept to product, uncertainties involving the ability of the Company to finance research and development activities, potential challenges to or violations of patents, uncertainties regarding the outcome of clinical trials, the Company’s ability to secure necessary approvals from regulatory agencies, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks discussed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
Contact: Alfacell Corporation: Investor/Media Relations: Kuslima Shogen Elite Financial Communications Robert Love Dodi Handy (973) 748-8082 (407) 585-1080 info@alfacell.comacel@efcg.net
Alfacell Corporation
CONTACT: Kuslima Shogen or Robert Love of Alfacell Corporation,+1-973-748-8082, or info@alfacell.com; or Investor/Media Relations, DodiHandy of Elite Financial Communications, +1-407-585-1080, or acel@efcg.net,for Alfacell
Web site: http://www.alfacell.com//
