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GEN ID Lab Services, Inc. To Develop New Drug Candidates to Stop Death in Humans From the Avian Flu Virus (''Bird Flu'')

Posted on: Monday, 8 May 2006, 09:10 CDT

GEN ID Lab Services, Inc. ("GEN ID") (OTC:GDLB) today announced that with the assistance of S2 Biosciences, Inc. ("S2"), a privately held company, it will be developing new drug candidates to treat Bird Flu infections in humans.

Current treatment of H5N1 avian influenza infection includes the use of antiviral therapy such as ribavirin and amantadine and neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir and zanamivir. The presence of Asp31 in the M2 protein of some variants of H5N1 confers resistance to the antiviral compounds, making this treatment option ineffective. While the neuraminidase inhibitors group of compounds are effective against influenza infections, recent isolates of H5N1 have been shown to contain amino acid substitutions in the neuraminidase enzyme making these variants resistant to this alternative treatment option.

In its research efforts with S2, GEN ID is seeking to develop yet another class of compounds to counteract the resistance that H5N1 is acquiring through mutations.

Hector A. Veron, President of GEN ID, stated, "We are very excited about the prospect of developing a new totally effective drug as a first line of defense against this deadly virus."

The mortality rate in avian flu infection reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) is very high, over 50% (for more information go to www.who.int). The first outbreak of documented avian flu infection with H5N1 virus subtype was in 18 patients and resulted in 6 deaths in Hong Kong in 1997 (33%). As of May 5, 2006, there have been 206 confirmed human cases of H5N1 influenza worldwide of whom 114 have died (55%).

About GEN ID:

GEN ID is a diversified medical testing company that seeks to provide physicians with more necessary and personalized treatment data, individualized towards patients and based on genetic screening technologies, such as SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) testing. This analysis will provide information on genetic predisposition to various diseases, such as different forms of cancer, cardiovascular abnormalities, dermatological diseases and predicting pharmacodynamic patterns pertinent to individual drugs for individual patients. GEN ID plans to leverage its strong relationships within the genomics community to maximize its presence in the market. For more information, visit the company's website: www.GenIDLabs.com

About S2 Biosciences:

S2 Biosciences, Inc. is a privately held, Montreal-based company providing preclinical contract research services to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. S2 also conducts molecular biology and biotechnology research and development and has specific expertise in virology and communicable diseases. S2 has developed several technologies which it has licensed to companies in the U.S. and Canada.

This news release may include "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Although GEN ID believes that the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect GEN ID's operations and financial performance. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially are those risks discussed in GEN ID's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-KSB.

Source: Business Wire

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