Sydney, Nov 22, 2005 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Life Therapeutics (ASX: LFE) announced today that the company has started an early-stage project to develop a specialty immune globulin for influenza. This is a multi-year program to immunize selected donors with the flu vaccine and collect their hyperimmune blood plasma for use in a therapeutic drug to combat infection caused by the influenza virus.
The Company is collecting this plasma and has already signed up its first customer for this program. Sales will occur in the first half of the 06 calendar year ramping up in the 07 financial year as regulatory approvals are obtained in the relevant countries. It is anticipated that a new supply of influenza hyperimmune will be produced each year to combat the latest influenza strain.
The flu is a contagious infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. The US National Institute of Health states that each year in the USA more than 200,000 patients are admitted to hospitals with influenza infections, and influenza-related deaths approach 36,000.
"We are very excited about this program considering influenza is so much in the news," said Dr. Hari Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Life Therapeutics. "Our company is pleased to participate in timely and important projects like this that have a direct effect on people's health." An earlier version of hyperimmunes based on blood serum was used against the Spanish Flu in 1918, Dr Hari Nair added.
Contact
USA
Jesse McCorvey
Director, Public
& Investor Relations
TEL: +1 404-300-5030
Australia
John Manusu
CFO
TEL: +61 2 8977 9000
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