Advanced Plant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Union Bless, Ltd. Hong Kong begin Phase I/II clinical research of ABAVCA in patients with SARS
Advanced Plant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APPI) recently signed an agreement with Union Bless, Ltd. of Hong Kong to start efficacy trials of APPI’s all-natural (botanical) immunomodulator ABAVCA for the treatment of patients infected with the SARS virus. APPI revealed today that research trials had begun at a major hospital in Hong Kong.
APPI processes whole plants using a proprietary manufacturing process to develop nutraceuticals.
Union Bless, Ltd. agreed May 21, 2003 to initiate efficacy trials for ABAVCA and the treatment of SARS virus in SARS patients in Hong Kong, China and the Philippines.
ABAVCA, also known as Perthon, which is patented and manufactured by APPI, is described as "an all-natural immunomodulator" that has received an IND (investigational new drug) number from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and it has been approved for Phase I/II clinical studies.
In prior clinical studies conducted by APPI, ABAVCA has shown some interesting activity on the immune system. Immunocompromised patients using ABAVCA orally, showed reversal of glandular swelling, restoration of well-being and associated weight gain, improvement in response to skin hypersensitivity tests, increase in blood hemoglobin counts, increase in CD4-counts and improvement in the CD4/CD8 ratio, with many patients returning to a normal ratio.
In 1996, Perthon/ABAVCA entered Phase I/II efficacy trials for the treatment of HIV infection.
In June 1997, APPI announced it had filed additional patents, to a total of 13, covering the use of ABACVA/Perthon for use in the treatment of AIDS related symptoms. The patents described 30 case studies since 1994, which APPI considered, in which there were: "measurable improvements in 13 separate and distinct indicators, such as white blood cell count, and hemoglobin."
On May 19, 2003, APPI filed a provisional patent application for ABAVCA and the treatment of SARS with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
SARS has no geographical boundaries. However, most confirmed cases of SARS have been in China and Hong Kong where Union Bless Ltd. will conduct SARS research.
Although APPI makes no claim and has no clinical evidence that ABAVCA is effective against SARS, the clinical trials will be designed to gather the empirical data to prove potential efficacy.
Mr Yosef Tzairi of Union Bless, Ltd. describing preliminary results as "anecdotal" commented that "physicians involved in the research have reported initial encouraging results with ABAVCA"
Union Bless expects to make arrangements to start SARS trials in the Philippines and Taiwan in the near future.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), data to May 27, 2003, 8221 SARS cases had been reported worldwide, with 735 infections resulting in the patient’s death. Patients with a compromised immune system have exhibited a particular vulnerability to SARS.
Keywords : Advances Plant Pharmaceuticals Inc. NJ, USA Union Bless Ltd. Hong Hong SARS Clinical trials Phase I/II IND FDA Botanical Immunomodulator ABAVCA Perthon Nutraceutical Patent Process Manufacture HIV AIDS
