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R.E.D. Laboratories Expands Research Collaboration with Hemispherx Biopharma to Develop Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Other Immune Diseases

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

R.E.D. Laboratories NV, a Belgian biotechnology company, has announced an expanded research collaboration with Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. to develop and commercialize diagnostic tests for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and other chronic immune and viral diseases. This collaboration aims to fully define the importance of the antiviral enzyme RNase L as a critical diagnostic marker for CFS. R.E.D. Laboratories has seen a significant increase in demand for its CFS testing services, particularly in Europe, since opening its clinical laboratory in February of this year.

Key Takeaways:

  • R.E.D. Laboratories NV will collaborate with Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. to develop and commercialize diagnostic tests for CFS and other chronic immune and viral diseases.
  • The company's testing platform is based on the measurement of an abnormal form of the protein RNase L, an antiviral enzyme found in the white blood cells of CFS patients.
  • Research data indicates a high degree of correlation between levels of the abnormal protein and the severity of the disease.
  • The collaboration will provide further momentum to the approval process of Hemispherx's flagship drug, Ampligen(R), which is currently in a nationwide Phase III clinical trial for patients with CFS.
  • CFS is a global disease, affecting over 500,000 Americans, according to a 1995 Centers For Disease Control publication, with nearly 2.5 million suffering from CFS, according to a Harvard University study performed in the same year.

Statistics:

  • Over 500,000 Americans are afflicted with CFS (Centers For Disease Control, 1995).
  • Nearly 2.5 million people suffer from CFS (Harvard University study, 1995).
  • R.E.D. Laboratories NV has seen a significant increase in demand for its CFS testing services since opening its clinical laboratory in February of this year.
  • The collaboration aims to fully define the importance of RNase L as a critical diagnostic marker for CFS.

Sources:

  • R.E.D. Laboratories NV press release, Sept. 23 (no specific year mentioned).
  • Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. company information.
  • Centers For Disease Control, publication dated 1995.
  • Harvard University study, 1995.
  • R.E.D. Laboratories NV, company information.

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