Wellmune

Biothera is participating in BENEFIQ 2012, an international event focused on the commercial, scientific and regulatory aspects of the health ingredients sector scheduled for Sept. 25-27 in Quebec City. The program will include Biothera’s John Blocher, Ph.D. speaking on the topic of “Successful Immune Health Ingredient: A Case Study.”

Using Biothera’s Wellmune WGP^® as a case study, Dr. Blocher will provide an overview of published scientific information and limited unpublished data in four key areas: safety, mechanism of action, pre-clinical efficacy and human clinical data.

The conference and exhibition is an initiative of the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, the largest group of researchers in Canada dedicated entirely to the complex interactions between foods, food components, nutrition and health. For more information about BENEFIQ 2012 visit www.benefiq.ca.

By Major General (ret) John Parker, M.D.
Biothera Healthcare Scientific Advisory Board

As a physician and recreational sports enthusiast, I was excited to see the results of the latest clinical study results on Wellmune WGP presented at the American College of Sports Medicine. As noted in an earlier blog, the study was conducted by sports medicine researchers at the University of Houston’s Health and Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art facility with some of the world’s leading researchers committed to understanding and optimizing sports performance.

The presentation of these results is yet another important milestone for the safety and efficacy of Wellmune WGP. In this double-blinded study of 96 men and 86 women who competed in the Austin, Texas, LiveStrong Marathon in 2011, there were measurable results. During the course of the four weeks marathoners took Wellmune, they experienced a 40% reduction in upper respiratory tract infection symptoms compared to the control group.

A key reason I joined Biothera’s Scientific Advisory Board a decade ago was directly related to the commitment to clinical research in support any claim made by Biothera. . The company’s commitment to integrity, sound science and credibility continues and is laudable; in my experience it is a rarity in the world of supplement claims.

It is impressive to see the consistency with which the early study results and the safety profile are corroborated among new research subjects and in a broadened profile of individuals under physical and emotional stress. I believe the insight into Wellmune’s mechanism of action is significant and the reason behind these consistent results.

The research continues to support my personal conviction that the human body has the capability to resist disease. In terms of the immune system, we should do everything we can to augment and support the body’s natural defenses. I like the simple analogy that Wellmune supports the neutrophils to launch an accelerated “Pac-Man” style assault against foreign invaders. In the broader context of addressing today’s global public health crisis, we need all of the Pac-Men we can get.

 Dr. Parker is a former Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, Commanding General of largest Department of Defense Medical Research Activity, and current Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

EAGAN, MN — April 27, 2011 — A new study published today as the cover story in the journal Nature features Biothera’s beta glucans and new discoveries about how these unique immunodulating compounds prime the innate immune system to protect the body.

This research confirmed that not all beta glucans are alike.  Researchers led by David Underhill, Ph.D. demonstrated that beta glucan size and molecular structure is critical to receptor binding and the resulting innate immune cell response.  Dr. Underhill and his research team found that specific beta glucan structures bind to a particular receptor (Dectin-1) while other beta glucans structures did not.

“This research demonstrates that the structure of beta glucans matters,” said William Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., Biothera senior vice president of Research & Development.  “Even slight molecular differences in beta glucans affect the signaling pathways used to induce different killing mechanisms.  These data expand on our previous research showing that some of our other beta glucan structures bind to CR3, inducing separate and unique mechanisms.”

The study shows that Dectin-1 distinguishes between direct microbial contact and detection of microbes at a distance, a distinction that enables effective microbial killing responses.  When bound to Biothera’s Wellmune WGP®, Dectin-1 signaling primed immune cells for phagocytosis, a mechanism used to recognize and destroy pathogens.

“This research was possible because of Biothera’s capability to isolate, modify and characterize these beta glucan compounds,” said Dr. Underhill, associate professor, IBD and Immunobiology Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Biothera is a U.S. biotechnology company that is pioneering beta glucan research.  The company has developed glucans as both pharmaceutical applications and immune health ingredients for foods, beverages and supplements.  The company’s Imprime PGG® is an injectable drug that is currently in a Phase III clinical trial for colorectal cancer and multiple Phase II trials for non small cell lung cancer.  Biothera’s Wellmune WGP® is a food-grade, immune-health ingredient for functional foods, beverages and supplements in more than 30 countries.

“We’re pleased to be able to contribute to the growing body of research surrounding beta glucan structures and their relationship to functional mechanisms,” said Don Cox, Ph.D., senior vice president, Biothera Healthcare Research & Development.

The title of the Nature paper is “Activation of the Innate Immune Receptor Dectin-1 upon Formation of a ‘Phagocytic Synapse.’” The paper is accessible on the Nature website.

About Biothera, the Immune Health Company
Biothera is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health. The company is commercializing its unique technology platform through two business groups. Biothera’s Pharmaceutical Group is conducting multiple clinical trials for the development of an immune modulating drug that mobilizes the innate immune system to fight most types of cancer. The company’s Healthcare Group is a leading provider of natural immune health ingredients for the functional food and beverage, dietary supplement, cosmetic and animal nutrition markets.

Contact:
David Walsh
VP Communications
Biothera, the Immune Health Company
651-256-4606 (direct)
dwalsh@biothera.com