Viral Genetics initiates Phase 1 trial of MDT compounds for ovarian cancer

The first patient has now been enrolled into the Phase 1 clinical trial sponsored by Viral Genetics' (OTC Pink: VRAL) and supported by a donation from Scott and White Foundation. The trial will study Metabolic Disruption Technology (MDT) compounds in combination with an existing cancer therapy to treat drug-resistant ovarian cancer. A total of up to 24 patients will receive combination treatment of hydroxychloroquine and sorafenib (marketed as Nexavar™) under primary investigator, Tyler Curiel, M.D., MPH, a medical oncologist affiliated with The Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. This clinical trial is the first sponsored by Viral Genetics based on the licensed research of Dr. M. Karen Newell-Rogers, the Company's Chief Scientist, and represents a milestone in the transition of the Company from preclinical- to clinical-stage. Patient enrollment is also expected to commence at Scott and White Hospital as soon as internal review procedures there are finalized.

"Patient enrollment marks the formal beginning of a clinical trial and so we are quite happy to get underway after much preparation and hard work by our team members, and Dr. Curiel's group," said Haig Keledjian, President of Viral Genetics. "I want to emphasize that we would not have proceeded with this choice of one MDT compound if we and our advisors were not confident that it held real promise for patients, but one should also appreciate the severity of the illnesses we are attempting to treat in this study. We advise optimistic but cautious and restrained expectations."

Because of the staggered nature of patient enrollment which calls for a few patients to be enrolled and treated at low doses prior to enrolling additional patients at higher doses, full enrollment of the study could take up to a few months. Follow up and patient observation will continue post-treatment for up to 12 months. The study can be stopped at any time for safety reasons.