Biostax Corp. Signs Collaboration Agreement with Immgenuity, Inc. to Pursue Remission in HIV

Orlando, FL, Aug. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immune Therapeutics, Inc. d/b/a Biostax Corp. (OTC Pink: IMUN) (“Biostax”), a hub-and-spoke biotech development engine, announces the signing of a research collaboration agreement with Immgenuity, Inc. The joint research will focus on using Immgenuity’s IMTV014 and Biostax’s Lodonal and JKB-122 both independently and together to determine if the immune modulatory effects of Biostax’s drug therapies combined with Immgenuity’s IMTV014 can achieve remission with HIV patients.

Under the terms of the agreement, Immgenuity and Biostax will collaborate to advance the development of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of HIV and other diseases. The collaboration will leverage Immgenuity's expertise in developing cutting-edge technologies for the identification and characterization of immune cell populations, mechanisms of immune escape, and Biostax's deep knowledge and experience in using naltrexone as an immune enhancing and anti-inflammatory agent.

Immgenuity’s IMTVO14 vaccine platform is an immunotherapy, comprising a genetically modified HIV virus which is unable to block immune signaling like the natural HIV does. By restoring immune signaling, IMTVOI4 is expected to restore a normal, viable, and robust immune response to HIV and likely lead to clearing the virus even from the sanctuary areas where the virus persists despite aggressive anti-HIV drug treatment.

“While HIV treatment has advanced dramatically over the past three decades, people living with HIV still face a lifetime of therapy and chronic illness,” said Sateesh Apte, MD. “Remission in HIV remains the ultimate aspiration for both Biostax’s and Immgenuity’s research and development efforts.”

“Patients are required to be off all anti-viral medications before Immgenuity’s vaccine platform can be administered and we expect Biostax’s naltrexone-based drug candidates to work synergistically during the period when patients stop taking their anti-viral medications and before the vaccine’s immune response takes effect, " said Dr. Apte. “This, along with Biostax’s immune-modulating therapy and our other partnerships and internal programs, reflects our commitment to finding a therapy that will achieve remission for HIV and bring about an end to the HIV epidemic.”