Radioprotectant Treats Effects of Acute Radiation

The purpose of a new study evaluating a newly developed radioprotectant agent is to attempt to replicate earlier observed results and gather additional neutropenia and thrombocytopenia data. Decreases in blood neutrophils and platelets, respectively, following radiation exposure are believed to cause the infections and uncontrolled bleeding that are primary causes of morbidity and mortality following irradiation.

ImmuneRegen BioSciences (IRBO; Scottsdale, AZ, USA), a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc., is continuing its ongoing radioprotectant research program at the Oak Ridge [U.S.] National Laboratory (ORNL; Oak Ridge, TN, USA). Further studies are designed to support submission of its proprietary compound Radilex to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing approval for possible use to treat the effects of acute radiation exposure. Radilix is an analog of substance P (Sar9, Met (O2)11-substance P), widely distributed throughout the body's neuropeptides.

Protection against radiation-induced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia is reported to be a predictor of subsequent survival in animal studies and might be expected to be indicative of the ability to protect against the deadly effects of gamma radiation that might result from terrorist activity or accidental radiation release.

Previous studies have provided indications of the possible benefits of Radilex to treat the effects of radiation exposure, including radiation-induced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. "We are enthusiastic about test results which our contract labs are providing and feel our test compound may be a candidate for this indication,” said John Fermanis, ImmuneRegen CFO.

Upcoming studies are being planned to examine Radilex activity in various
defined inbred mouse lines and to potentially identify genetic correlates with phenotypic expression of radiation resistance. Planned collaborative studies with other facilities are intended to additionally assess the mechanisms of Radilex protection at the molecular level in different mice strains and larger, mammalian species.

Further studies with ImmuneRegen's lead compound, Homspera, formulated as Radilex or Viprovex, have demonstrated effectiveness in treating viral, bacterial, and chemical exposures, according to pre-clinical studies performed in a well-established mouse model system of anthrax exposure.



Related Links:
ImmuneRegen BioSciences
Oak Ridge [U.S.] National Laboratory