RegeneRx Working with U.S. Military to Test T4 Against Exposure to Chemical Agents in the Eye

On Monday June 22, 2009, 11:13 am EDT
BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--REGENERX BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (NYSE Amex:RGN) (the “Company” or “RegeneRx”) announced today that it is collaborating with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) and Dr. Gabriel Sosne, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Wayne State University, to evaluate Tβ4’s (RGN-259 eye drops) ability to prevent or reduce damage to the eye caused by exposure to chemical agents. The ability to prevent or reduce such damage is the focus of substantial efforts by both the military and homeland security. The project will consist of a series of research experiments over the next twelve months with Tβ4, which is being commercially developed by RegeneRx and is in Phase II clinical trials.
Dr. Sosne and his colleagues have published several scientific articles describing Tβ4’s ability to reduce damage from a number of different chemical agents by reducing inflammation and promoting re-epithelialization to repair the cornea. Other scientific teams have reported Tβ4’s ability to promote stem cell differentiation to protect and repair tissue in the heart and skin.
“We are pleased to be working with U.S. military on this important project. We hope their work will lead to the use of our technology for treatment of eyes exposed to caustic chemicals. RegeneRx is prepared to assist in any way possible to support efforts to protect our military personnel and citizens from exposure to debilitating or life-threatening chemical agents,” stated J.J. Finkelstein, RegeneRx’s president and CEO.
About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RegeneRx is focused on the discovery and development of novel peptides to accelerate tissue and organ repair. Currently, RegeneRx is developing three product candidates, RGN-137, RGN-259 and RGN-352 for dermal, ophthalmic, and cardiovascular tissue repair, respectively. RegeneRx is also developing RGN-457 for use in pulmonary indications such as cystic fibrosis. These product candidates are based on Tβ4, a synthetic copy of a 43-amino acid, naturally occurring peptide, in part, under an exclusive world-wide license from the National Institutes of Health. RegeneRx holds over 60 world-wide patents and patent applications related to its products and has sponsored four Phase II dermal and ophthalmic clinical trials and a Phase I parenteral (injectable) clinical trial supporting systemic delivery of RGN-352 for acute cardiovascular indications.
RegeneRx Technology Background
Tβ4 is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide present in virtually all human cells. It is a first-in-class multi-faceted molecule that promotes endothelial cell differentiation, angiogenesis in dermal tissues, keratinocyte migration, collagen deposition, and down-regulates inflammation. RegeneRx has identified several molecular variations of Tβ4 that may affect the aging of skin, among other properties, and could be important candidates as active ingredients in pharmaceutical and consumer products. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health, and at other academic institutions throughout the U.S., have published numerous scientific articles indicating Tβ4’s in vitro and in vivo efficacy in accelerating wound healing and tissue protection under a variety of conditions. Abstracts of scientific papers related to Tβ4’s mechanisms of action may be viewed at RegeneRx’s web page: www.regenerx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements concerning the Company’s collaborative work with the U.S. military and others as described herein. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include the risk that the U.S. military’s research may not be successful, may not demonstrate safety and/or efficacy, the risk that the Company or its collaborators will not obtain approval to market the Company’s product candidates in the U.S. or abroad, the risks associated with the Company’s need for additional financing to meet capital requirements necessary for the further development and commercialization activities relating to its product candidates, the risks associated with protecting the Company’s intellectual property, or that the Company will not be able to obtain continued patent protection, or that its issued patents will be infringed, and such other risks described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other filings it makes with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
J.J. Finkelstein,
301-280-1992
jjfnk@regenerx.com
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