Hemispherx BioPharma (HEB)

[cccpmd666]

Great news!!!!



PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex:HEB) (the "Company") today announced that its Board of Directors has just approved up to $4.4 Million (U.S.) for full engineering studies, capital improvements, system upgrades, and introduction of building management systems to enhance production of three products: Alferon N(R) (its FDA licensed biologic), Alferon LDO and Ampligen(R). Alferon LDO and Ampligen(R) (Poly I : Poly C12U) are experimental therapeutics being developed for multiple clinical indications including prevention, prophylaxis and treatment of both seasonal and pandemic influenza.


These investments will bring the capacity of the facility in alignment with the projected commercial supply forecast for both Alferon LDO(TM) and Ampligen(R) indications to serve markets for up to three years post approval. The facility upgrades are also consistent with the Company's long-term strategy to maintain control of key manufacturing steps of both Alferon LDO(TM) and Ampligen(R) while utilizing excess capacity available at contract manufacturing organizations for commodity "fill and finish" operations.



The Hemispherx manufacturing site located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, presently configured at over 43,000 square feet, will have capacity for Alferon LDO projected at 336 million doses per year based on the various facility improvements, which are expected to be underway immediately.



Details on utilization of the experimental therapeutics in ongoing and projected clinical trials will be presented at upcoming health care conferences.