| October 02, 2001 |
| Hemispherx Scientists Report New Method To Evaluate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
Philadelphia, PA, Tuesday, October 02, 2001: Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (AMEX: HEB) reported today in the major peer reviewed U.S. medical publication, The Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a new method to assess severe fatigue ("debilitation") in CFS populations. The scientific report, also co-authored by clinical researchers at the University of Pacific, describes a severe cardiopulmonary defect that can be accurately measured by determining maximal oxygen consumption when exercising under well-defined conditions. The test, called "maximal VO2", determined the precise oxygen content in expired air of 87 CFS patients at various major medical centers across the country.
Historically, CFS was considered an enigmatic disorder and many cases were initially misdiagnosed, both in the U.S. and abroad. More recently, however, several major U.S. governmental agencies (including the National Institutes of Health, FDA, Social Security Administration and the Centers for Disease Control) formed the first "InterAgency Committee on CFS" to evaluate scientific progress on CFS and provide a national governmental approach to implement new plans for optimal CFS diagnosis and treatment. The CFS InterAgency Committee, funded by direct Congressional appropriation, meets no less than every 6 months to coordinate national policy on this disorder.
Hemispherx is a worldwide leader in both diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in this disorder, which may affect up to 6 million people worldwide. Hemispherx is the only company worldwide conducting authorized clinical tests at the Phase III level in CFS with its flagship product, Ampligen, and the only Company authorized by major regulatory agencies worldwide to conduct emergency sales (on a cost recovery basis) to patients severely ill with CFS who have no alternative treatment options.
In the United States and Continental Europe, Hemispherx conducts its Phase III CFS clinical programs and cost recovery CFS sales thru its own medical and regulatory staff located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Paris, France and Antwerp, Belgium. In other parts of the world, including the Southern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand, active clinical development is pursued by licensees committed to new clinical insights and treatment intervention in this severely debilitating disorder.
Contact(s):
William A. Carter, M.D., CEO & Chairman, Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (215) 988-0080
Robert Giordano, Institutional Investors, KCSA, (212) 682-6300, Fax: (212) 697-0910
Dianne Will, Investor Relations, (518) 398-6222, Fax: (518) 398-6223
HEB's Web Site: www.hemispherx.net
Information contained in this news release other than historical information, including the referenced Method for Evaluating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the associated laboratory results and the resultant clinical initiatives, should all be considered forward-looking and are subject to various risk factors and uncertainties. For instance, the strategies and operations of Hemispherx involve risks of competition, changing market conditions, changes in laws and regulations affecting these industries and numerous other factors discussed in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those in any forward looking statements. Additionally, all the referenced investigational drugs and associated technologies of the company are experimental in nature and as such are not designated safe and effective by a regulatory authority for general use and are legally available only through clinical trials with the referenced disorders. The forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgement as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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