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JUN 25, 2001
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--June
25, 2001--Interferon Sciences, Inc. (ISI) (OTC-BB:IFSC) announced that
a poster reporting on a retrospective evaluation entitled, "Interferon
alfa-n3 (Alferon N) Reduces Enhancing Gadolinium Brain Lesions in Multiple
Sclerosis" was presented at the XVII World Congress of Neurology Meeting
in London, by Professor William Sheremata, Chief of the Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology
Center of the University of Miami School of Medicine.
Evaluation Results
Brain magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) was performed in 69 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients either treated
with interferon alfa-n3 or untreated as control. The images revealed the
presence of gadolinium enhanced (Gd+) lesions in the brain in 2 out of
31 patients (6%) treated with interferon alfa-n3 for 3-6 months, as compared
to 14 out of 38 patients (37%) in the untreated group. Gd+ lesions in 1
of the 2 Gd+ patients in the interferon alfa-n3 group were found to be
due to an arterio-venous malformation of the corpus callosum, and not MS-related
new active lesions. Gd+ allows the earliest identification of new or "active"
lesions in the brain because it only enters the brain where there is a
breakdown in the blood brain barrier. Following the initial assessment,
no other patients exhibited new active brain lesions with continued interferon
alfa-n3 therapy.
Expanded Disability Status Scale
(EDSS) scores were recorded for these patients over a mean of 11 months
of follow-up. In this evaluation, disability decreased in the interferon
alfa-n3 treated group since EDSS scores decreased from 4.8 to 3.4, while
these scores in the untreated group increased from 3.8 to 4.5. The scale
of EDSS scores ranges from 0 for a normal neurological examination to a
score of 10 for death due to multiple sclerosis.
Background
The majority of treated patients
included in the interferon alfa-n3 treated group had received subcutaneous
injections of interferon alfa-n3 after adverse reactions were experienced
from treatment with other agents. These included MS patients who had suffered
from prominent injection site reactions or other side effects from interferon
beta-1b (Betaseron(R)). Interferon alfa-n3 was also used in patients with
very active MS, rapidly progressive disease, or those with advanced disability
who were judged unlikely to benefit from or tolerate Betaseron.
The forward-looking statements contained
herein reflect ISI management's current views with respect to future events
and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements, all of which are
difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of ISI, including,
those risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's periodic reports
and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Interferon Sciences, Inc...Advancing
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Brain MRI with Gd+ was performed
in 69 MS patients, 38 who declined treatment (untreated group) and 31 treated
subcutaneously with interferon alfa-n3. MRI allows objective evaluation
of disease progression in MS.
In this study, a retrospective evaluation
of brain disease in MS utilizing patient records and evaluating MRI scans
was performed. MRI scan records documenting disease were identified in
consecutive MS patient's records from a master list. Clerical staff assembled
this list without regard to factors other than the patient's treatment
status. Both patient records and recorded images were reviewed. Reports
were identified and information regarding the use of gadolinium enhancement
and the MRI studies were retrieved. Images were subsequently evaluated
and the presence of Gd+ lesions in images from patients with clinically
definite MS was confirmed.
This retrospective evaluation does
not constitute a prospective clinical study of the type needed to obtain
regulatory approval, and does not indicate that interferon alfa-n3 will
be shown to be effective if such clinical studies are performed. However,
based in part upon these encouraging findings, the Company has begun seeking
a corporate partner to further assess the use of its interferon alfa-n3
product as a potential treatment in patients afflicted with MS.
Interferon Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical
company engaged in the study, manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products
based on its highly purified, natural-source, multi-species alpha interferon.
The Company's ALFERON N Injection(R) (Interferon Alfa-n3) product has been
approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment
of certain types of genital warts, and is being studied for potential use
in other indications, including cancer and multiple sclerosis. The Company
recently signed an exclusive technology license agreement with Mayo Foundation
for Medical Education and Research of Rochester, MN for the rights to technology
under investigation for preventing the recurrence of cancer after surgical
removal of tumors.
In addition, the Company is seeking
to enter into collaborations with companies in the areas of cancer, infectious
diseases, and immunology. The Company's strategy is to utilize its expertise
in regulatory affairs, clinical trials, manufacturing, and research and
development to acquire equity participations in early stage companies.
The Company recently acquired a significant equity interest in Metacine,
Inc., a company developing anti-cancer vaccines based on dendritic cell
technology.
Interferon Sciences, Inc.
Lawrence M. Gordon, 732/249-3250
x545
Chief Executive Officer
or
Stanley G. Schutzbank, Ph.D., 732/249-3250
x502
President