Biovest International Announces That Revimmune is Profiled in Hopkins Medicine Magazine
Biovest International, Inc. (OTCBB:BVTI), a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABPI), today announced that Hopkins Medicine Magazine has published an article in its Winter 2008 edition profiling Revimmune™ for the treatment and prevention of transplant rejection including rejection following a bone marrow transplant. Revimmune is a patent-pending pharmaceutical treatment in late-stage development for the prevention of transplant rejection, with applications to bone marrow transplants for a wide variety of indications including elimination of sickle cell anemia, and other hereditary hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia.
Revimmune can greatly improve the percentage of successful transplants, as evidenced by its ability to dramatically reduce the incidence of chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) in bone marrow transplants. GVHD is a particularly severe type of transplant rejection characterized by the donor marrow (graft) producing immune cells that attack multiple organs of the recipient (host).
The article, written by Elaine Freeman, titled, “High Time for HiCy,” chronicles the history of the development of Revimmune (high-dose cyclophosphamide or HiCy) and reports on studies conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers showing treatment with Revimmune demonstrates remarkable promise for the elimination of transplant rejection, including bone marrow transplant usage to cure chronic illnesses such as sickle cell anemia.
To access the article, please visit: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hmn/W08/feature1.cfm.
Biovest holds the worldwide, exclusive license to Revimmune for the treatment and prevention of transplant rejection including rejection following a bone marrow transplant, and the Company intends to file an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of Revimmune usage in bone marrow transplants to treat and possibly cure sickle cell anemia.
The article, “High Time for HiCy,” published in the Winter 2008 edition of Hopkins Medicine Magazine does not constitute or imply any endorsement of Revimmune™, Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. or Biovest International, Inc. either from Hopkins Medicine Magazine or the Hopkins Medical Institutions. The article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or investment due diligence.
The article will also be available at Biovest’s website, reprinted with permission of Johns Hopkins University and of Elaine Freeman, copyright 2008.
About Biovest International, Inc.
Biovest International, Inc. (OTCBB:BVTI) is a pioneer in the development of advanced individualized immunotherapies for life-threatening cancers of the blood system. Biovest is a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABPI), with its remaining shares publicly traded. Biovest has a foundation in the manufacture of biologics for research and clinical trials. In addition, Biovest develops, manufactures and markets patented cell culture systems, including the innovative AutovaxID™, which is being marketed as an automated vaccine manufacturing instrument and for production of cell-based materials and therapeutics. Biovest is currently conducting a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for BiovaxID™, which is a patient-specific anti-cancer vaccine focusing on the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. BiovaxID™ has been granted Fast Track status by the FDA.
For further information, visit the Company Web site at: www.Biovest.com.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Revimmune(TM), BiovaxID(TM), AutovaxID(TM), and any other statements relating to products, product candidates, product development programs, the FDA or clinical study process including the commencement, process, or completion of clinical trials or the regulatory process. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements identified by words such as “may,”"could,”"would,”"should,”"believes,”"expects,”"anticipates,”"estimates,”"intends,”"plans,” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results of Biovest to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of clinical trials and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval for product candidates; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and the additional risks discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Biovest undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. The product names used in this statement are for identification purposes only. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.