ImmuneRegen BioSciences Releases Study Results Showing Homspera Stimulates Adult Stem Cell Activity
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned biotechnology product development and licensing subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc., recently reported study findings on its drug candidate Homspera. The results show Homspera to be effective in stimulating human, adult, blood-forming stem cells (hematopoietic stem cells), which have previously been shown to be capable of becoming blood cells that are vital to the body's immune system. This suggests a role for Homspera in strengthening the human immune system.
The study by HemoGenix, a research laboratory specializing in stem cell applications that serves the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, found ImmuneRegen's Homspera not only increased the number of early-stage white blood cells by up to 200 percent when compared to controls, but also produced this effect at surprisingly low concentrations. These findings indicate Homspera's potential benefit in situations where regenerating or stimulating the immune system is desired, as with patients undergoing chemotherapy who may develop leukopenia (low number of white blood cells).
"These results help explain the myriad of successful animal studies previously reported for Homspera in widely diverse areas of health-related fields, including Homspera's positive results in influenza therapy, combating the effects of radiation exposure and enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (vaccine adjuvant activity)," said ImmuneRegen Scientific Director Kasey Benson, Ph.D. "These findings from adult human stem cells suggest that Homspera could also produce positive effects clinically."
In the study, Homspera promoted the development of early-stage white blood cells and platelet precursors when added to a cell culture of human hematopoietic stem cells. "I have never seen these stimulatory activities at such low concentrations of test compound," said Ivan N. Rich, Ph.D., HemoGenix founder, chairman and CEO and an internationally recognized leader in hematology research.
Said Benson, "We are excited about the broad range of health-related applications Homspera promises." ImmuneRegen plans further studies to better understand Homspera's role in immune-system regeneration and to search for potential drug applications.
About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.
ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc., is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the research, development and licensing of Homspera, an adult stem cell active compound that is focused on the potential regeneration and strengthening of the immune system. To advance its mission, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company has forged numerous study partnerships with industry and academic leaders, including Celgene, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, HemoGenix and Virion Laboratories. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.immuneregen.com.
About HemoGenix, Inc.
HemoGenix was the first company to provide a fully standardized ATP-based, in vitro bioluminescence assay system designed specifically as an alternative to, and in most cases a replacement for, the colony-forming cell (CFC) assay used to detect stem and progenitor cells of the blood-forming system. Since its founding in 2000, HemoGenix has developed its own portfolio of proprietary assays for basic research, toxicity, safety and risk assessment for the biopharmaceutical and environmental arenas and quality control assays for stem cell transplantation processing laboratories. HemoGenix produces and sells its assay platforms directly or through its distributors worldwide.
SOURCE: ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.