Major Influenza Pandemic Threat is now Preventable and Treatable with Canopus’ Aerosol Statin Formulation
May 12 2009 - 8:17AM
Business Wire
Canopus BioPharma Inc. (OTCPK: CBIA) today announced it has
commissioned a team of experts led by Dr. Akihiro Shimosaka, to
assist with its plans for major collaborations to license,
manufacture and distribute its H1N1 Swine flu statin antiviral.
This team is currently in negotiations with the Office of Disease
Control and Emergency Response, the CDC and the SFDA in China with
a view to initiating large scale clinical trials and gaining
marketing approval on behalf of Canopus BioPharma.
Canopus has patented and developed novel aerosol formulations of
the widely used cholesterol lowering drugs statins, which Canopus
has proved effective against all previous pandemic strains of
influenza. This formulation will provide a new approach to combat
the recent threat of a Swine flu pandemic. The objective of
Canopus� newly appointed scientific and commercial panel is to
launch aerosol statin formulations as viable antiviral medications
to target all strains of influenza. �We believe that statins hold
the key to mass treatment of influenza pandemics in humans. It is
also expected that this aerosol formulation will demonstrate a high
degree of efficacy against H1N1 Swine flu, as it is a broad
spectrum influenza antiviral, having shown efficacy against not
only H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1, but also against equine influenza, H3N8
in separate animal studies,� said Patrick Prendergast, Chairman and
CEO of Canopus BioPharma.
Canopus� new statin formulation has proven to be as effective as
Roche�s Tamiflu, the current prescribed medication for influenza
infection, in a number of Canopus BioPharma sponsored animal
studies. There is a need for novel anti-influenza antivirals to
overcome the development of drug resistance associated with current
prescription antiviral medications for influenza. Also, the
effectiveness of Tamiflu is undermined when administered more than
48 hours after infection. Findings published in 2005 noted that
four out of eight patients treated for influenza infection in
Vietnam died despite the use of Tamiflu1, 4. However Canopus�
statin formulation maintains its efficacy even when administered 48
hours post infection.
Statins are the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide and due
to their low toxicity can be administered as a prophylactic. There
is a considerable amount of support for the use of statins as an
influenza remedy. In 2007, it was found that statins dramatically
reduced the risk of influenza deaths2. A global influenza expert
noted that statins may improve outcomes in influenza patients;
statins are inexpensive, can be stockpiled and would be available
on the first pandemic day3.
Research carried out by Canopus during the past five years, both
in the USA and China, identified statins as a powerful and
effective formulation for the prevention and treatment of influenza
infections, in particular H1N1, H5N1 and H3N2. H1N1 (Spanish
Influenza) and H3N2 (Hong Kong Influenza) were the strains
responsible for the pandemics in 1918 and 1968 respectively, which
claimed millions of lives. H5N1 is the strain responsible for the
2005 outbreak of avian influenza. Statin formulations significantly
reduces influenza viral load and prevents lung tissue damage by
lowering the expression of cytokines. The �cytokine storm� is
responsible for severe inflammation, a major cause of mortality
among influenza patients.
In view of the recent pandemic threat, Canopus BioPharma
appreciates the urgency for the development of new influenza
treatments and believes this team of industry experts can improve
on Canopus� efforts to date. Dr. Prendergast further commented
�Canopus has been dedicated to influenza research for the past five
years which highlights the foresight and vision of our research
team. We are excited by the possibilities and opportunities brought
to us by expanding Canopus� team in China and South-east Asia, and
are eager to launch aerosol statins as a much needed alternative
for influenza prevention and treatment�
The global market demand for influenza antivirals is expected to
have a market value of approximately $3.7 billion by 2010.
1-New England Journal of Medicine, 2005; 353(25):2667-2672
2-American College of Chest Physicians 2007; 13:1006-1012
3-Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2008; 8(9):571-576
4-JAMA, 2009; 301(10):1034-1041�Infections with
Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza A (H1N1) Virus in the US
About Canopus BioPharma, Inc.
Canopus BioPharma Inc (OTCPK: CBIA) is dedicated to providing
the safest, most cost effective and efficacious pharmaceutical
products and assay methods in the areas of infectious disease,
radiation protection and cancer. With innovative science, proven
research and development leadership and superior products and
compounds, Canopus BioPharma has, since 2001 been committed to
becoming a market trend setter in a new era of healthcare. In
addition, the Company is a world leader in the development of novel
camelid antibody products to provide unique avenues of progress and
improvement in assay methods and monitoring capabilities for
physicians, patients and researchers, particularly for food chain
protection applications. Canopus maintains staff in Australia,
South Africa, Ireland and the USA. Additional information on the
company is available at www.canopusbiopharma.com.
Canopus BioPharma Inc Disclaimer:
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press release, content herein may contain �forward looking
statements� that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on management�s current expectations and are
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. In particular,
the Company may not be successful in its efforts commercialize or
attain acceptable clinical results for its products. Investors are
cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the statements made. These factors include general economic
conditions, delays and risks associated with the performance of
contracts and research and development programs, uncertainties as a
result of research and development, consumer and industry
acceptance, litigation and/or court proceedings, regulatory risks
including approval of Food and Drug Administration filings, the
ability to achieve and maintain revenues and profitability in the
Company�s business lines, and other factors discussed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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