IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company engaged in the research and development of potential drug candidates like Homspera™ and its derivatives, Radilex® and Viprovex®. Its goals include developing these potential drug candidates for use as possible countermeasures for homeland security threats including radiological, chemical and biological agents.
In addition, the company believes that these products will also meet various commercial needs such as in radiation therapy, or cures for influenza, anthrax and other microbial ailments. The company has discovered that certain attributes of Homspera may potentially open additional commercialization opportunities in areas such as human adult stem cell stimulation, vaccine adjuvants, (substances that stimulate the immune system above that of a stand-alone vaccine), and wound healing.
Background: The company’s patents, patent applications and continued research relate to an analogue of Substance P. This analogue, which the company has named Homspera, is the foundation of its research and development of potential drug candidates. Substance P is found in the body and performs a large number of actions, including modulation of the immune system and stimulation of hematopoieisis (blood cell formation). As mentioned, the company has developed two derivatives of Homspera named Radilex and Viprovex.
Homspera: The company’s current focus is to develop Homspera for regenerating or strengthening the human immune system, in part, through stimulating human adult stem cells. Management believes that the stem cell activity exhibited by Homspera underlies some of the effects previously reported in potential applications like treatment for radiation exposure and infectious disease. Recent studies have evaluated the effects of Homspera on human adult stem cell activity, and the company is performing additional studies to evaluate the efficacy of Homspera as a potential product for increasing the healing rate of wounds.
Radilex: The company is researching Radilex for use as a potential treatment for acute exposure to radiation, and believes that Radilex can be eventually marketed to the government. Further, the company believes that a commercial market may exist for the use of Radilex relating to the treatment of radiation-induced side effects of cancer treatments. Eventually, Radilex could be used either as a stand-alone treatment or as a co-therapeutic agent.
Viprovex: The company is researching Viprovex for use as a potential treatment for exposure to bacillus biological agents, such as infectious organisms like the influenza virus and anthrax. Like Radilex, the company believes that Viprovex, can be developed and sold to governments for the treatment of exposure to anthrax and pandemic influenza. The company is also researching the efficacy of Viprovex as a potential treatment for exposure to chemical agents, such as formalin.
The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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