Bangalore, June 7, 2007: Mr Vichai Jirathitikal, a pharmacology graduate of Mahidol University in Thailand, has developed an oral AIDS vaccine originally named V-1 or V1.

 

V1 comprises pooled, inactivated HIV antigens derived from E and B clades of HIV-1 strain predominant in Thai population and is currently manufactured at a pharmaceutical plant owned by his family. The factory received GMP status form Thai FDA in July 2001. In contrast to other AIDS vaccines V1 is administered orally and not by injection.

 

V1 is a specially formulated pill that contains HIV-1 viral antigens capable of withstanding the degradation in the stomach. As a result, V1 can pass into the gastrointestinal tract and will be eventually presented by intestinal enterocytes to underlying mucosal immune cells. The V1 is presented as 850 mg pink-colored oval shaped pill. VI can be stable at ambient temperatures for more than a year.

 

In the last few years, Mr Jirathitikal has treated about 500 HIV-positive patients at his clinic in Bangpakong near Bangkok City. In June 2001, V1-Immunitor was distributed free of charge to about 40 thousand HIV-infected individuals. Immureboost Corporation primarily sponsored the distribution.

 

V-1 is the most advanced product that has been used by over 66,000 thousand AIDS patients in more than 60 countries around the world. In a recent clinical study, V-1 has normalized elevated liver enzymes in 95 percent of treated patients within one month, indicating that V-1 is potentially effective for hepatitis treatment.

 

Thailand has approximately one million people with HIV. While preventive measures established by the Government of Thailand are effective, the financial burden of caring for HIV/AIDS patients is beyond the budgetary means of the country. The Thai government is capable of providing free treatment only to 2,500 patients per year. The overwhelming majority of Thai HIV/AIDS patients have no access to antiretroviral drugs that have reduced death rates in Western countries. Antivirals even at subsidized prices are beyond of reach to ordinary Thais.

 

Even the present generic antiviral produced by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization of Thailand, which is priced at $150 per month, is still too high for most patients. Hospitals routinely send patients with terminal, full-blown AIDS to Buddhist temples to die.

 

After more then ten years of intense laboratory studies and donating his time and money, Mr Vichai Jirathitikal is now finalizing negotiations with a NASDAQ BB company who will make his dream come true. Mr Vichai claimed that more funds are required to build laboratories for worldwide production and distribution of the V1 product.