Experts at ICB-2010 Conference to discuss new research findings in biotherapy

Experts treat illnesses with bugs, not drugs

The 8th International Conference on Biotherapy (ICB-2010) will be held in Los Angeles, November 11-14, 2010, at the Universal - Los Angeles Hilton. It is the single most important meeting for sharing new clinical and research findings in biotherapy (living organisms used to treat or diagnose illness). During the 4-day conference, an internationally distinguished faculty will educate clinicians and the public about maggot therapy, leech therapy (hirudotherapy), bee venom therapy, phage therapy, ichthyotherapy (the treatment of certain skin disorders with the help of specific fish), helminthic therapy for autoimmune disease, pet and hippotherapy, cancer-detecting dogs, and more.

Running jointly with the biotherapy conference, in the same conference center, will be the American Apitherapy Society's Annual Course and Conference (CMACC).

The International Conference on Biotherapy was planned and implemented in accordance with the essential areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Cincinnati, the BioTherapeutics & Research Foundation and the Hope of Healing Foundation. The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians

The first two international conferences were held in Porthcawl, South Wales, UK in 1996 and 1997 under the name First and Second World Conference on Biosurgery. Subsequently, Israel, Germany, Turkey and South Korea hosted one or more of these international conferences. "The last International Conference was a great success," stated Dr. Kosta Mumcuoglu, Conference Co-Chair and President of the International Biotherapy Society (IBS). "The 7th ICB was held in Seoul and was attended by participants from nearly 20 countries."

"This is the first time that the International Conference is being held in the U.S.," notes Dr. Ronald Sherman, also Conference Co-Chair and Director of the BioTherapeutics, Education & Research (BTER) Foundation, one of the conference co-sponsors. "The BTER Foundation has been raising funds for years to produce high-quality educational programs like this. We are delighted to bring ICB-2010 to America, and bring Biotherapy to the next level." During the conference, both the IBS and the BTER Foundation will be holding their annual meetings. At its annual meeting, the BTER Foundation will be presenting its first William S. Baer Award for Outstanding Service for the Advancement of Biotherapy.

ICB-2010 will include general education sessions, presentations of cutting-edge research, and hands-on clinical training for therapists. According to Dr. Aletha Tippett, Conference Co-Chair and President of the co-sponsoring Hope for Healing Foundation, "we have already registered participants from across the globe - physicians, nurses and physical therapists, biologists and researchers, journalists and the general public." Unusual among clinical and research conferences is the fact that patients will also be lecturing about their experiences with biotherapy, and available to answer questions from faculty, attendees, and the media.

Two biotherapeutic modalities have already made their way into mainstream medicine: maggot therapy and leech therapy. Both organisms are produced according to Good Manufacturing Practices in FDA-regulated laboratories. Marketing clearance for manufacturers of medicinal maggots and leeches was granted in 2004. Clinical studies are underway to define the safety and efficacy of bee venom therapy, bacteriophage therapy, helminthic therapy and ichthyotherapy; updates on these and other treatments will be presented during the conference.

More information about ICB-2010 can be found at: www.bterfoundation.org/icb/icb2010.htm

More information about CMACC can be found at: www.apitherapy.org/