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PPHM article in Nature Medicine
Nature Medicine study shows Peregrine's bavituximab can cure lethal virus infections
Published: Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 14:08 in Health & Medicine
Learn more about: bavituximab lethal virus medicine study nature medicine peregrine pharmaceuticals inc virus infections
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPHM) today reported publication of data in Nature Medicine that supports the broad anti-viral potential of the company's novel anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) antibody platform, showing that its PS-targeting drug bavituximab can cure lethal virus infections in animal disease models. Bavituximab is in clinical trials for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and in preclinical development for the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers under a contract worth up to $44.4 million with the bioterrorism program of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Bavituximab and other anti-PS antibodies are also being studied preclinically in HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other serious viral infections.
"Based on these findings, anti-PS antibodies such as bavituximab may represent a completely new class of drugs for the treatment of life-threatening viral infections," said study co-author Dr. Philip Thorpe, professor of pharmacology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a scientific advisor to Peregrine. "By targeting a property of the host cell rather than the virus itself, anti-PS antibodies have the potential to treat a range of viral infections, and they should be less susceptible to the viral mutations that contribute to the development of drug resistance."
In the research reported today, scientists at UT Southwestern assessed the activity of bavituximab in animal models of two lethal viruses--cytomegalovirus and Lassa fever virus, a hemorrhagic fever virus that is listed as a class A bioterrorism agent by the CDC. Bavituximab showed potent anti-viral activity in both models.
Dr. Melina Soares, lead study author and UT Southwestern instructor of pharmacology, commented, "Recent non-affiliated research has further confirmed that exposed PS has immunosuppressive properties and is also clarifying its involvement during viral infection of cells. Our data go a step further, providing compelling evidence that exposed PS itself is a promising anti-viral drug target that is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple viruses, suggesting the possibility of achieving broad-spectrum anti-viral effects using a single anti-PS agent. We look forward to further exploring the potential of bavituximab and other anti-PS antibodies against viruses for which there are few or no effective therapeutic options."
In the first study, 100% of mice infected with lethal murine CMV and treated with bavituximab recovered fully, while only 25% of control animals survived. In the second study, guinea pigs were infected with lethal Pichinde virus, which is a model virus for Lassa fever. Fifty percent of the bavituximab-treated group survived, while untreated animals all died. In this study, the anti-viral effect of bavituximab was further augmented by the addition of the standard of care drug ribavirin, with 63% of animals receiving the combination therapy surviving the potentially lethal infection.
"We are extremely pleased to see this research demonstrating the broad anti-viral potential of bavituximab and our anti-PS technology platform published in this highly regarded journal," said Steven W. King, president and CEO of Peregrine. "This new publication is the latest in a series of external validations of our anti-viral program. It follows a recently awarded federal government contract for assessment of anti-PS antibodies to treat viral hemorrhagic fevers, research on the role of PS in viral infections that was published in a leading science journal earlier this year, and a recent presentation on anti-PS antibodies at a global HIV conference."
Mr. King added, "Better prevention and treatment of viral diseases are urgently needed, and we are increasingly optimistic that bavituximab and our other anti-PS antibodies could be valuable contributors to the field."
PS is a lipid molecule normally found on the inside of cell membranes that "flips" and becomes exposed on the outside of the membranes of enveloped viruses and virally infected cells. Exposed PS enables viruses to evade immune recognition and dampens the body's normal responses to infection. By masking the exposed PS, bavituximab and other anti-PS antibodies may block these effects and allow the body to develop a robust immune response to the viral pathogen. Anti-PS antibodies have been shown to help clear infectious virus from the bloodstream and to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, an important anti-viral immune response.
Researchers have found that PS is exposed on the outer membrane of cells infected with HIV, influenza (including avian flu), herpes simplex viruses, hemorrhagic fever viruses, measles and members of the small pox and rabies virus families.
Dr. Barton Haynes, director of Duke University's Human Vaccine Institute and the Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI) is currently investigating PS as a potential target for preventing HIV infection. He commented, "Targeting a host cell lipid such as PS as an anti-viral strategy is an intriguing concept that may have relevance for new therapeutic and possibly prophylactic innovations in a number of virus infections."
Source: BioCom Partners
Another day someone brings PPHM down at the last trade. I bought 200 shares at the end at .2568, hoping it would be the last, hoping we could end up for the day, but I was too quick on the trigger. Someone seems to enjoy playing around with the close on this.
I saw your message re: PPHM on Yak's board the other day. Just wondering how you came across PPHM. Congrats on all your people marks. It's good to see someone new interested in our stock!
Does ESLR have more left in it?
Thanks for CIT.
CIT Closes $500 M Financing Facility With Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.Last update: 11/4/2008 8:30:07 AM(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires (201-938-5400)November 04, 2008 08:30 ET (13:30 GMT
Thanks for the info, BOT. What do you hear about the reverse split?
I am sooo sick of this stock. According to IHUB, buy volume was 351K to 134K sell volume. That should have pushed the price up a little, but noooooo!
I agree. R&R has been advising them for over a year to do the r/s to reduce the share count. I just don't see the share price moving much with this hanging over our heads. If they're going to do it, I would prefer it is done soon to get it over with and hopefully get the stock to move. The downside is the stock getting shorted to oblivion after it is effected. Will R&R protect PPHM in the market? Doubt it. They better have truly amazing news to overcome the shorts.
Sheff, have you followed the reverse split issue? If yes, what effect do you think it will have on the share price if they delay implementing the r/s? I would think buyers would hesitate until after the r/s to buy.... Hoping I'm wrong!
I think they could still do a reverse split, and probably will, so they have the 277 million shares at their disposal, vs. 75 million currently.
I also told them to reduce the # of authorized shares. Their arrogance is amazing.
RHD soaring premarket. Thanks Yak!
What is pathetic is that I own a boatload of shares.
PPHM management's failures predate 6 months and are unrelated to the current overall market conditions.
Considering that the share price generally reflects the capability of management, if a share price is low, then either the product is inferior or management is.
I'll chip in to contribute to the cost of an attorney to draft letters to the SEC, Secy's of state and PPHM management.
Don't you mean "if they CONTINUE to screw the shareholder" rather than "if they try....."
Hi Jake. Don't you think the effect of not getting their incentive package might just as easily result in management doing all they can to stick it to the retail shareholder? This latest press release is an example (in my opinion) of a half-assed presentation of partial data, when it could easily have been much more powerful had they compared the results to Avastin at a similar stage or divulged more detailed info.
Sounds like the PPHM annual meeting didn't go in favor of the shareholders, big surprise. According to Roy on Raging Bull, the reverse split passed but the incentive plan did not. I don't know where they got all the shares to vote in favor of the r/s. Who in their right mind would give them 300 million shares to play with when the existing shareholders will be down to 22.6 million! That is, of course, assuming a 1:10 reverse split.
I tried to call PPHM, both the operator and investor relations. All I got was voicemail. Big Surprise.
Some buying going on?
I wonder how long it will take them to put out a press release with the r/s results.
Does anyone expect a rush for the exits if the r/s is approved today?
So King and Lytle can have a nice vacation (probably with spouses) on our dime.
Nope. They cut that out last year when they feared a shareholder riot.
Wouldn't that be classified as fraud if it didn't represent a true overall picture of results?
Sorry, I see that now. They did webcast in 2006.
Thanks for CTI Yak. I made some nice $$ on it Friday. I'm also in RHD and CNO. Do you have any thoughts on APWR?
Hi Jake. I'm glad to hear there might be some legal review on the sidelines. I wish they would make themselves known to management and hopefully put a little fear in them.....so far they seem to think they can act with impunity. I hope some shareholders show up for the meeting and report back (like immediately) so we know what is going on. Didn't they broadcast it last year? I haven't seen anything to indicate they are going to do that this year........wonder why????
I may misunderstand your computation, but it seems to me that the common shareholder might be diluted an additional 68.2%. 22.7 mil shares (assuming a 1/10 rs) is 7.5% of 300 million. Therefore, the common shareholder would go from 75.7% (227 mil of 300 mil authorized currently) to 7.5% (22.7 mil of 300 mil authorized). That is, of course, assuming that all 300 mil shares authorized are subsequently issued. Certainly not a good deal for the current common shareholder.
Well........they (management) have Epstein as a supporter. I wonder how many shares are in his camp these days.
We might have avoided this price if PPHM had released news on the trials. Will they wait until after the ASM to release?
I thought it was free game to issue prs after material was presented at a meeting, as well as after publication. It is now in the public domain since yesterday, no?
I hope you're right about the sale, Jake. I really thought we would get significant news this week and a PR this morning reviewing yesterday's presentation, which has garnered no news that I can find, except Fauci's comments, which weren't that encouraging. I am very concerned what will happen next week if the reverse split is approved. Management should be very concerned with what will happen at the shareholders' meeting (assuming anyone shows up).
I think alot of us have been drinking the same koolaid. It might be better to wait a bit to see what transpires this week. Don't forget, next week is the shareholders' meeting and vote tally for the reverse split. If the r/s wins, you may get a big dip with many selling.
Is Elvis performing live? Kewl!
We will know shortly whether PPHM is boom or bust. I get this sinking feeling that it will be boom but the existing retail shareholders won't participate in the gains. Not that I don't trust scum management or anything......
Still holding in spite of it all! Is Lemmy?
PPHM. Its performance doesn't give a feeling of confidence that good things are coming. Reverse split around the corner, unfortunately. I hoped we would have a stream of good news this week. Unlikely looking at trading and volume.
You would think they could have at least gotten it to close at .30.
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals' anti-PS Technology Platform to Be Discussed at AIDS Vaccine 2008 Conference
CAPE TOWN, South Africa and TUSTIN, Calif., Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM) a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibodies for cancer and serious viral infections, today reported the company's anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) technology platform will be discussed in scientific sessions at the AIDS Vaccine 2008 conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Peregrine is developing a new class of anti-PS monoclonal antibody immunotherapeutics that stimulate the body's immune system to respond to a viral attack by targeting and binding to cellular components that become exposed on the surface of enveloped viruses and on virally infected cells, but not on healthy cells.
"Following on the heels of our recently awarded U.S. government contract to assess our anti-PS antibodies for the prevention and treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers, we are pleased that our anti-PS approaches are being discussed at this leading scientific meeting of AIDS vaccine researchers," said Steven W. King, CEO and president of Peregrine. "We and our collaborators have been preparing and submitting publications to key scientific journals highlighting the role of phosphatidylserine as a potential target for viral disease prophylaxis and therapy in general, as well as the potential of our anti-PS antibodies in specific virus infections. We look forward to reporting on the results of these studies in more detail as the research articles are published."
Peregrine's lead anti-PS antibody bavituximab has successfully completed two Phase I clinical trials as monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is currently being assessed in a trial for the treatment of HCV in patients co-infected with HIV. Bavituximab has also demonstrated encouraging activity in a model of viral hemorrhagic fever, and in July 2008, Peregrine was awarded a five-year contract worth up to $44.4 million from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense for the development of anti-PS antibodies as potential vaccines and therapies against viral hemorrhagic fevers.
About Peregrine Pharmaceuticals
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative product candidates in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The company is pursuing three separate clinical programs in cancer and HCV infection with its lead product candidates bavituximab and Cotara(R). Peregrine also has in-house manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiary Avid Bioservices, Inc. (http://www.avidbio.com), which provides development and bio-manufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers. Additional information about Peregrine can be found at http://www.peregrineinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Peregrine Pharmaceuticals' intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk that one or more of the anticipated research articles is not accepted for publication. It is important to note that the company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with completing preclinical and clinical trials for our technologies; the early stage of product development; the significant costs to develop our products as all of our products are currently in development, preclinical studies or clinical trials; obtaining additional financing to support our operations and the development of our products; obtaining regulatory approval for our technologies; anticipated timing of regulatory filings and the potential success in gaining regulatory approval and complying with governmental regulations applicable to our business. Our business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2008 and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2008. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.
Contacts:
GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
Investors Media
info@peregrineinc.com Barbara Lindheim
(800) 987-8256 (212) 918-4650
SOURCE Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
http://www.peregrineinc.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
News Provided by COMTEX
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals' anti-PS Technology Platform to Be Discussed at AIDS Vaccine 2008 Conference
CAPE TOWN, South Africa and TUSTIN, Calif., Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM) a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibodies for cancer and serious viral infections, today reported the company's anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) technology platform will be discussed in scientific sessions at the AIDS Vaccine 2008 conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Peregrine is developing a new class of anti-PS monoclonal antibody immunotherapeutics that stimulate the body's immune system to respond to a viral attack by targeting and binding to cellular components that become exposed on the surface of enveloped viruses and on virally infected cells, but not on healthy cells.
"Following on the heels of our recently awarded U.S. government contract to assess our anti-PS antibodies for the prevention and treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers, we are pleased that our anti-PS approaches are being discussed at this leading scientific meeting of AIDS vaccine researchers," said Steven W. King, CEO and president of Peregrine. "We and our collaborators have been preparing and submitting publications to key scientific journals highlighting the role of phosphatidylserine as a potential target for viral disease prophylaxis and therapy in general, as well as the potential of our anti-PS antibodies in specific virus infections. We look forward to reporting on the results of these studies in more detail as the research articles are published."
Peregrine's lead anti-PS antibody bavituximab has successfully completed two Phase I clinical trials as monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is currently being assessed in a trial for the treatment of HCV in patients co-infected with HIV. Bavituximab has also demonstrated encouraging activity in a model of viral hemorrhagic fever, and in July 2008, Peregrine was awarded a five-year contract worth up to $44.4 million from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense for the development of anti-PS antibodies as potential vaccines and therapies against viral hemorrhagic fevers.
About Peregrine Pharmaceuticals
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative product candidates in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The company is pursuing three separate clinical programs in cancer and HCV infection with its lead product candidates bavituximab and Cotara(R). Peregrine also has in-house manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiary Avid Bioservices, Inc. (http://www.avidbio.com), which provides development and bio-manufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers. Additional information about Peregrine can be found at http://www.peregrineinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Peregrine Pharmaceuticals' intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk that one or more of the anticipated research articles is not accepted for publication. It is important to note that the company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with completing preclinical and clinical trials for our technologies; the early stage of product development; the significant costs to develop our products as all of our products are currently in development, preclinical studies or clinical trials; obtaining additional financing to support our operations and the development of our products; obtaining regulatory approval for our technologies; anticipated timing of regulatory filings and the potential success in gaining regulatory approval and complying with governmental regulations applicable to our business. Our business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2008 and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2008. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.
Contacts:
GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
Investors Media
info@peregrineinc.com Barbara Lindheim
(800) 987-8256 (212) 918-4650
SOURCE Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
http://www.peregrineinc.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
News Provided by COMTEX