Results from Oral Interferon’s Phase 2 trial expected by March 31 (OTCBB:AMAR)

Oral interferon is a drug that has been discovered and developed by Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (OTCBB:AMAR). According to the company, the drug can be used to cure people who have been infected with the influenza virus – more commonly known as just “flu”. The drug can also be used in cases of other diseases associated with the respiratory disease. The company believes that the drug may also prevent all these respiratory disorders. A few years ago, Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. decided to bring the drug into the markets of the United States of America. For this purpose, it needs to get the approval from the country’s toughest regulator – that is, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In order to convince the FDA, it has started carrying out a series of clinical trials – which deal with measuring the safety and the efficacy of the drug. Recently, the company has completed the Phase 2 trial on the drug. The results from the trial are expected to be disclosed by March 31, 2010.

The Phase 2 trial took place in the city of Perth, Australia. More than 200 people in healthy conditions participated in the trial. All these participants were given doses of oral interferon once every day. The doses were given for a period of sixteen weeks. Then the patients were observed for another four weeks.

The main objective of the trial was finding whether study participants suffered from less frequent sicknesses associated with the respiratory symptom or not – especially during the season when flu or cold is most prevalent. The trial also tried to find whether the drug alleviated the flu symptoms in a few patients who do catch flu. Manfred Beilharz , who is an Associate Professor in the department of Microbiology and Immunology Discipline (BBCS), the University of Western Australia, played a key role in conducting the trial. The company also acknowledges the fact that the trial could never have been a reality if it was not funded by the Department of Health, Government of Western Australia.