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Two Abstracts on Tß4 and Ocular Wound Healing Selected for Presentation at ARVO Annual Meeting Two Abstracts on Tß4 and Ocular Wound Healing Selected for Presentation at ARVO Annual Meeting March 29, 2004 RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB:RGRX) (www.regenerx.com) reported today that two scientific studies related to Tß4's effects in ocular wound healing will be presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) on April 26, 2004 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The first abstract is entitled, "Thymosin beta 4 Expression In Corneal Wound Healing" and will present data relating to localizing and quantify the protein levels of thymosin beta 4 (Tß4) in the corneas of young vs. old mice after wounding; Sosne et al; the Kresge Eye Institute and Wayne State University, Detroit, MI; the George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. The second abstract is entitled, "Thymosin ß4 Modulates Corneal Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression and Neutrophil Infiltration After Alkali Injury in the BALB/c Mouse." The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of thymosin beta 4 (Tß4) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) infiltration during corneal tissue remodeling after alkali burn in BALB/c mice; Christopherson et al; the Kresge Eye Institute and Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Tß4 is a naturally occurring 43-amino acid peptide present in virtually all human cells. It represents a new class of wound healing drug and is different from other wound repair factors, such as growth factors, in that it promotes endothelial cell differentiation and keratinocyte cell migration, down-regulates a number of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and has a very low molecular weight, allowing it to diffuse relatively long distances through tissues. A key mechanism of action is Tß4's ability to regulate the cell-building protein, actin, a vital component of the cytoskeleton. Additionally, it has recently been reported that Tß4 directly influences the production of laminin-5, a protein necessary for proper adhesion of certain types of mammalian cells and an important component of the wound healing process. Tß4 has been the subject of a significant amount of research at the NIH and a number of other academic institutions, and has been reported to be effective in the repair of dermal and corneal wounds in numerous animal models under a variety of conditions. RegeneRx is a biopharmaceutical company developing Tß4 as a platform technology for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds and for the treatment of a variety of human diseases involving tissue and organ repair under an exclusive world-wide license from the NIH. The Company holds several patents related to the technology and has numerous world-wide patent applications pending. RegeneRx successfully completed Phase I human clinical trials with Tß4 for the treatment of chronic dermal wounds and expects Phase II trials to begin in the second quarter of 2004. The information in this press release may include certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements concern the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including the ongoing and prospective development of Tß4 and possible future benefits to the Company, its shareholders, and patients. Due to the nature of product development and the regulatory approval process, the forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those reflected in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by the Company. |
