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Hemispherx to Present at the 4th Annual Biodefense Research Meeting Sponsored By the American Society of Microbiology

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 December 2005, 09:00 CST

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (AMEX: HEB) announces that two papers on its lead biodefense products were accepted for presentation, after peer review, for the February 15th-18th 2006 Biodefense Meeting sponsored by the American Society of Microbiology in Washington, D.C. The conference brings together the scientists, public health researchers and policy makers that are shaping the future of biodefense research. They will discuss policy issues, legislation, and gaps related to biodefense.

Hemispherx will present the results from the experimental trials for Alferon N Low Dose Oral (LDO) that are taking place with internationally recognized researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Medical Centers in the United States and the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong. The experimental trials involve use of a cutting edge technology (a variation on DNA chips) to test whether Alferon N, an interferon inducing therapeutic already approved for the treatment of Human Papilloma Virus, given orally can trigger a broad-spectrum antiviral immune response. If successful, Hemispherx will have the capacity to produce 50-100 million doses of the experimental therapeutic from the GMP approved manufacturing facility in New Jersey.

The company will also present Ampligen(R), an experimental immune amplifier with broad-spectrum defense capabilities. Hemispherx recently completed a Phase III trial with Ampligen for the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and has currently treated more than 750 patients under the government's cost recovery program. With the threat of a bioterror attack and an Avian Flu outbreak looming, there has been a recent demand for an adjuvant that offers a broad-spectrum approach. As a result of this demand, Hemispherx is currently conducting studies in animals using Ampligen given alone or in combination with approved influenza vaccines and antivirals such as Tamiflu and Relenza. Under new emergency rules, drugs may be licensed for sale based on successful studies in two recognized animal models.

The results of new Hemispherx human and animal studies will be presented at the meeting.

About Hemispherx Biopharma

Hemispherx Biopharma, based in Philadelphia, is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture and clinical development of new drug entities for treatment of viral and immune-based chronic disorders. Hemispherx's flagship products include Alferon and the experimental immunotherapeutics/antivirals Ampligen(R) and Oragens(TM). Alferon is approved for a category of STD infection, and Ampligen(R) and Oragens(TM) represent experimental nucleic acids being developed for globally important viral diseases and disorders of the immune system. Hemispherx's platform technology includes large and small agent components for potential treatment of various chronic viral infections. Hemispherx has in excess of 140 patents comprising its core intellectual property estate, a fully commercialized product (Alferon N) and GMP certified manufacturing facilities for its novel pharma products. For more information please visit www.hemispherx.net

Information contained in this news release other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking and is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties. For instance, the strategies and operations of Hemispherx involve risk of competition, changing market conditions, change in laws and regulations affecting these industries and numerous other factors discussed in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any specifically referenced investigational drugs and associated technologies of the company (including Ampligen(R) and Oragens(TM)) are experimental in nature and as such are not designated safe and effective by a regulatory authority for general use and are legally available only through clinical trials with the referenced disorders. The forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Clinical trials for other potential indications of the approved biologic Alferon(R) do not imply that the product will ever be specifically approved commercially for these other treatment indications.

Source: Business Wire

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