ADVANCED VIRAL RESEARCH BEGINS PHASE I STUDY FOR AVR118

Advanced Viral Research has initiated a Phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized safety study with AVR118 in Type 2 diabetes sufferers in the U.S. Approximately 30 patients are expected to be entered in the study.

The primary objective of this study is to explore the effect of 4.0 ml AVR118 given subcutaneously on blood glucose in subjects with Type 2 diabetes who are on sulfonylureas and/or metformin, as compared to subjects not receiving AVR118. Sulfonylureas and metformin are commonly used drugs to control Type 2 diabetes.

AVR118 represents a biopolymer that possesses novel immunomodulator activity. This peptide-nucleic acid complex, which to date has demonstrated a very favorable safety profile, appears to stimulate the pro-inflammatory responses required to combat viral infections such as AIDS and human papillomavirus, and to dampen aberrant autoimmune-type inflammatory responses, such as those that occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.