Senesco Announces H1N1 Influenza Survival Test Results in Mice
May 26 2009 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Senesco
Technologies, Inc. ("Senesco" or the "Company") (NYSE Amex: SNT)
today reported results of H1N1 mouse influenza survival studies
that were conducted in Dr. William Scheld's lab at the University
of Virginia School of Medicine. Mice treated with an siRNA against
Senesco's Factor 5A gene had a 52% survival rate as opposed to a
14% survival rate for mice that received no treatment or a control
siRNA. A total of 73 mice were infected with a lethal dose of
nasally administered H1N1 mouse influenza. The treated mice (n=31
mice) were administered Senesco's siRNA against Factor 5A
approximately 24 hours after infection and then every other day for
11 days. Treated mice reversed the weight loss typically seen in
infected mice at around day 8 of the study, which coincides with
the reduced mortality. The treated mice had other reduced
indicators of disease severity as measured by blood glucose and
liver enzymes. Dr. Scheld, the Bayer-Gerald L. Mandell Professor of
Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine
and past president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America,
commented, "These prototype studies have demonstrated that Factor
5A is a promising candidate for future study in several infectious
diseases, including a model of lethal influenza." Bruce Galton,
Senesco's President and CEO, added, "We believe these data from Dr.
Scheld further underscore Factor 5A's ability to mitigate apoptosis
caused by inflammation, in this case from the H1N1 flu model. As we
have previously stated, one of the attributes of Senesco's Factor
5A technology is its broad applicability. While we are currently
working on our primary goal of filing an investigational new drug
application with the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma, it
is important that our other inflammation programs also progress."
About Senesco Technologies, Inc. Senesco Technologies, Inc. is a
U.S. biotechnology company, headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ.
Senesco has initiated preclinical research to trigger or delay cell
death in mammals (apoptosis) to determine if the technology is
applicable in human medicine. Accelerating apoptosis may have
applications to development of cancer treatments. Delaying
apoptosis may have applications to certain diseases inflammatory
and ischemic diseases. Senesco takes its name from the scientific
term for the aging of plant cells: senescence. Delaying cell
breakdown in plants extends freshness after harvesting, while
increasing crop yields, plant size and resistance to environmental
stress. The Company believes that its technology can be used to
develop superior strains of crops without any modification other
than delaying natural plant senescence. Senesco has partnered with
leading-edge companies engaged in agricultural biotechnology and
earns research and development fees for applying its
gene-regulating platform technology to enhance its partners'
products. Certain statements included in this press release are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could
differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein
as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
the ability of the Company to consummate a financing; the
development of the Company's gene technology; the approval of the
Company's patent applications; the successful implementation of the
Company's research and development programs and joint ventures; the
success of the Company's license agreements; the acceptance by the
market of the Company's products; success of the Company's
preliminary studies and preclinical research; competition and the
timing of projects and trends in future operating performance, the
Company's ability to meet its funding milestones under its
financing transaction, the Company's ability to continue to comply
with the continued listing standards of the AMEX, as well as other
factors expressed from time to time in the Company's periodic
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As
a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the
Company's periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking
statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this
press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events
or circumstances. Company Contact: Senesco Technologies, Inc. Bruce
Galton Chief Executive Officer (732) 296-8400 Investor Relations
Contact: Media Relations: FD FD Brian Ritchie Irma Gomez-Dib
212-850-5600 212-850-5600 DATASOURCE: Senesco Technologies, Inc.
CONTACT: Bruce Galton, Chief Executive Officer of Senesco
Technologies, Inc., +1-732-296-8400, ; or Investor Relations, Brian
Ritchie, , or Media Relations, Irma Gomez-Dib, , both of FD,
+1-212-850-5600 Web Site: http://www.senesco.com/
Copyright