FAO Warnings Follow Rise in Replikins Count for Both H5N1 and Swine Flu (H1N1); Replikins Synthetic TransFlu™ Vaccine Tested

LONDON, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The possible combination of influenza strains H1N1 (high infectivity) and H5N1 (high lethality) is a matter of global concern (1, 2). Bioradar UK Ltd announced today (3) first, that the Replikin Counts of the two virus strains have risen simultaneously, not seen previously. Additionally, the rise is to their highest levels in 50 years (H1N1, 16.7; H5N1, 23.3), and that clinical outbreaks of each strain are now occurring. These simultaneous conditions may increase the risk that the two virus strains might come into contact with each other more frequently, facilitating transfer of genomic material to form a hybrid.

See figures: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-Replikins-Genes.pdf

Figures from "Bogoch, Samuel and Bogoch, Elenore. Prediction of specific virus outbreaks made from the increased concentration of a new class of virus genomic peptides, Replikins. Available from Nature Precedings, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npre.2011.6279.1 (2011)."

In 2000, Replikins Ltd. scientists identified genomic sequences (Replikins). The protein translations of these sequences can be counted in the virus genome, per 100 amino acids (Replikin Count), by Replikins Bioradar™ software (4). Replikin Count was found to relate quantitatively to rapid replication of the virus, and to virus outbreaks. Replikins were found to be conserved for up to 93 years, shared between strains, and to play a central role in infection and in the host antibody response (4). This technology was found to predict virus outbreaks, not possible in the past. Initial "scout virus" outbreaks provide early warning which give time to plan public health measures, to manufacture and test more accurate vaccines for the coming outbreaks. For example, increases in H1N1 Replikin Counts in 2008 (5) predicted one year in advance the outbreak of the global 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Replikin Counts in 2010 (6) predicted the current H1N1 outbreaks in humans in 2011 now being reported in the Americas by the Pan American Health Organization (7) and in Chihuahua by the Minister of Health of Mexico (8) (6 deaths in 56 cases, 10.7% mortality). For H5N1, increases in virus Replikin Counts in 2006 (9,10) predicted lethal outbreaks in 2007 (82% mortality in humans), and the geographic site (Indonesia); and the H5N1 outbreaks which were predicted in 2010 (6) are now occurring in Egypt in 2011 (33.3% mortality) (11) and in Asia.

From 2003, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has formally reviewed Replikins' technology and influenza hemagglutinin Replikin epitopes. In preparation to meet the threatened combination of H1N1 and H5N1, and previously unpredictable single strain outbreaks, in 2008 Replikins Ltd. manufactured the first completely synthetic TransFlu™ Replikins Vaccine against the common influenza strains. In 2009, TransFlu™ was successful in blocking H5N1 in the first of its continuing independent trials in the U.S. and elsewhere (12). In 2009, NIH data (13) confirmed the conserved and strain-sharing central role of Replikins by the method of antibody validation; that is, inhibitory antibodies landed on and bound to Replikins epitopes. Now, in 2011, NIH's Director has announced (14) that NIH hopes to have a pan-influenza vaccine in 5 years. In contrast, based on the same Replikins epitopes, Replikins Synthetic TransFlu™ Vaccine was first prepared in 2008, exists now, was successful in its first trial (12), and is undergoing further testing.

For information on the opportunity to test Synthetic TransFlu™ Replikins Vaccine in your country, contact [email protected], Bioradar UK Ltd.; in the U.S.: 646-320-5910.

References

1. Shin Young-Soo, "Official WHO Press Release Warns Of Potential 'Reassortment' Between H1N1 and H5N1" WHO Press Release, November 25-29, 2009

2. Mckay, B. "More Deadly Swine Flu? CDC Mixes H1N1, H5N1 Viruses in Tests." Wall Street Journal. September 17, 2009

3. Bogoch, S. and Bogoch, ES. "Killer Replikins in Pandemic Flu and Cancer." Replikins Press, 2011, in press.

4. Bogoch, S. and Bogoch, ES. "Replikins: the Chemistry of Rapid Replication." Begell House, Inc. New York. 2005

5. Replikins Press. "H1N1 Influenza Virus with Highest Replikin Count™ Since the 1918 Pandemic Identified in the U.S. and Austria." April 7, 2008 http://www.replikins.com/press_18.html

6. Replikins Press. "Both H5N1 Bird Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu Replikin Counts™ Increasing" April 9, 2010 http://www.replikins.com/press_35.html

7. Pan American Health Organization Alert. Archive Number 20110425.1292. Subject PRO/EDR> Influenza (32): PAHO alert. April 25, 2011

8. Cordova, JA. Minister of Health, Mexico. Xinhua English News.cn. China. April 8, 2011

9. Replikins Press. "Rising Human H5N1 'Bird Flu' High-Virulence Sequences Found By Replikins, Ltd." November 6, 2006. http://www.replikins.com/press_7.html  

10. Replikins Press. "Indonesia Reports Experiencing Human H5N1 Mortality Increase, as Predicted Last Year by Replikins' FluForecast® Quantitative Virus Analysis." June 8, 2007. http://www.replikins.com/archive.html#article12

11. Schnirring, L. CIDRAP News. H5N1. June 1, 2011

12. Jackwood MW., et al. Avian Diseases 53(4):613-617, 2009.

13. Sui, J., et al. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology 16:265-273, 2009.

14. Collins, F. Director, National Institutes of Health. USA Today. Front page. July 27, 2011

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SOURCE Replikins Ltd.