Immuron's HIV antibody goes into US trail

Immuron, an Australian biopharmaceutical company specializing in oral immunotherapy development and antibody manufacturing, has received  approval for a Phase II human clinical study in HIV/AIDS patients at a  US AIDS research center, and the award of a research grant for an HIV  antibody.

The study is being conducted by the Center for AIDS Research, a  prominent National Institutes of Health-funded research program, at Case  Western Reserve University. University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio. The  study is led by Gopal Yadavalli, Benigno Rodriguez and Michael Lederman,  associate director of the Center. The trial aims to document the ability  of Immuron's BioGard hyperimmune bovine colostrum powder formulation to  decrease translocation of gut-derived microbial products and decrease  immune activation in patients with early stage HIV infection. BioGard  contains a mixture of anti-LPS and other antibodies active at the  mucosal surface. The study will begin in first-quarter 2009 and positive  results could open a window to expanded trials of BioGard as part of  routine HIV/AIDS therapy regimens. It complements a recently announced  multi-site clinical trial sponsored by the Australian National Center  in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research examining the product's  efficacy in HIV/AIDS patients undergoing intensified therapy for  persistent immune activation.