|  Nutra Pharma Engages Research Group to Study RPI-78M in Multiple Sclerosis Assays
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2-Aug-2004
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2004--Nutra Pharma Corp. (OTCBB:NPHC - News), a biotechnology holding company that owns rights to patents and intellectual property related to the development of drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), today announced that it has engaged Eno Research and Development, Inc. (ERDI) to study RPI-78M.
RPI-78M is the lead drug candidate of Nutra Pharma's minority holding, ReceptoPharm, Inc. and is being studied in preclinical assays for its efficacy in treating Multiple Sclerosis. ERDI will measure the effect of RPI-78M on gene expression using cDNA microarray technology and identify any potentially unique changes in gene expression that may be caused by the therapy.
"Much effort has gone into identifying genes that cause or contribute to the disease process of MS," commented James Flowers, ERDI's President and Chief Scientific Officer. "Still, it is unknown how many of these genes actually relate to the pathogenesis of this disease," he continued. "RPI-78M may allow us to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms of MS while evaluating its potential therapeutic benefits."
ERDI will conduct this research through the end of 2004.
"We are very excited about the talent and experience that ERDI brings to Nutra Pharma and ReceptoPharm," said Rik J. Deitsch, Nutra Pharma's Chief Executive Officer. "The scientific staff of ERDI has the expertise necessary to provide the information that we need to move RPI-78M into the clinical setting," he added.
"ERDI adds a critical component to the work that we have already accomplished," commented Paul F. Reid, Ph.D., ReceptoPharm's Chief Executive Officer. "By evaluating what's occurring in the cells of MS patients at a genetic level, we hope to get a better idea as to the mechanism of RPI-78M," he concluded.
About ReceptoPharm
ReceptoPharm is a bio-pharmaceutical company developing proprietary therapeutic proteins for the treatment of several chronic, life-threatening viral, auto-immune and neuro-degenerative disorders, specifically including Rabies, HIV, and Myasthenia gravis (MG).
About Nutra Pharma
Nutra Pharma Corp. is a biotechnology holding company that owns license rights to patents and intellectual property related to the development of drugs for HIV and Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"). These technologies are being developed by the Company's minority holding ReceptoPharm, Inc. The Company's majority owned subsidiary Infectech, Inc., is engaged in the research and development of diagnostic test kits designed to be used for the rapid identification of infectious human diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI). www.nutrapharma.com.
Eno Research and Development, Inc. (ERDI) is a full-service contract research organization located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, near Research Triangle Park. ERDI offers a wide range of pre-clinical development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, animal health and nutraceutical companies. The scientific staff of ERDI possess expertise in biotechnology, pharmacology, tumor biology, synthetic and analytical chemistry, in silico modeling of drug interaction/binding and rational drug design, as well as microarray technology and bioinformatics. With this expertise, ERDI can offer services ranging from lead discovery through New Drug Applications.
Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements which are not historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties including but not limited to risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, regulatory approval processes, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties as may be detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nothing in this press release shall be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities herein.
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Contact:
Rubenstein Investor Relations
Tim Clemensen, 212-843-9337
tclemensen@rubensteinir.com
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Source: Nutra Pharma Corp.
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