* National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Finds Significant Antiviral Activity With Entry Inhibitor SP-10
for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
* "Oral" Antiviral Entry Inhibitor SP-10 Appears to Prevent Virus
Entry Into Healthy Cells
* Aside From HIV and the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), SP-10's Ability to
Prevent Viral Replication Could Extend to the Avian Influenza
(Avian (bird) Flu), Avian Influenza A (H5N1), Influenza A,
Influenza B, and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMEX:LIV), a developer of innovative drugs, is pleased to announce today that an in-vitro study conducted on its oral entry inhibitor SP-10 by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), found SP-10 to have significant antiviral activity with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
HCV infection is estimated to affect approximately 4 million Americans. Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from complications of hepatitis C. Without better therapies, the number of deaths is expected to triple by the year 2015 -- higher than the current annual death rate for AIDS.
Dr. Greeson, CEO of Samaritan Pharmaceuticals stated, "Knowing the Hepatitis C virus affects as many as 170 million people worldwide, and is insidious in that it can take up to 20 years to produce symptoms, we are extremely excited about SP-10's potential as a viable antiviral treatment. We are also very grateful to NIAID scientists for including Samaritan's SP-10 in this study; and look forward to the further development of SP-10, as an oral entry inhibitor, for HIV and HCV."
About Samaritan
Samaritan is a small-cap Biotech, driven to discover, develop and commercialize innovative therapeutics for AIDS, Alzheimer's, Cancer and Heart disease patients. Look at http://www.samaritanpharma.com. Please register on Website so we can notify you of upcoming conference calls, news and events.
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Disclaimer
The company disclaims any information that is created by an outside party and endorses only information that is communicated by its press releases, filings and Website. This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current beliefs about the potential for its drug candidates, science and technology. However, as with any biopharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks and uncertainties in the process of development and regulatory review. There are no guarantees that products will prove to be commercially successful. For additional information about the factors that affect the company's business, please read the company's latest Form 10-K/A filed November 2, 2006. The company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.