CEO im Interview - Phase II fast beendet

The most advanced product under development for the human therapeutic market is low-dose, orally administered intereferon alpha.

What is the market potential of your products?
In our ongoing research studies we developed a potential blockbuster targeting chronic cough in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which occurs in 10% of the population over 40 years of age – making it a billion dollar market. In addition, we are currently researching the use of interferon alpha on hepatitis C and influenza in low doses with little to no side effects. Alone for hepatitis C, according to WHO estimates, the number of sick people is at 170 million. In industrialized countries interferon alpha is already used for treatment of hepatitis C, but in the high-dose injectable version with many side-effects, which we target to eliminate with our low-dose oral variant.

Your recent press releases and various publications of research reports on your company seem to have been ignored by the market. What do you think are the reasons?
The biotech market has been in very bad shape over the recent months and was struggling along with the general financial crisis. But with the general indexes recovering, our industry and well positioned and established companies, like Amarillo Biosciences, have the potential to gain momentum over the next months. Also we will continue with our strategy on constantly informing the public about our developments on our promising research studies and other business developments.

In your latest press release you announced the hiring of Dr. Peter Müller as the company’s new COO and head of the research department. How important is he for Amarillo Biosciences?
Dr. Müller has more than 20 years of professional experience in the global pharmaceutical industry. Prior to his engagement with Amarillo he was Vice President of Global Marketing & Medical Information Technology for Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of Global Marketing Business & Marketing Services for Hoechst Marion Russel and in 2001 founded his own company, Epicenter Consulting Inc.
Dr. Müller will primarily focus his attention on the treatment of chronic cough in COPD which currently affects more than 600mn people worldwide and offers great market potential. He will also work on forming strategic alliances with the large global pharmaceutical companies as he knows due to his proven track record what major pharmaceutical companies are looking for in research partners. Not only in this area will Dr. Müller be an invaluable asset to the company.

Three Phase II test results are expected to be announced in 2008. Can you give us an indication on when to expect them?
A FDA Phase II study for oral interferon treatment of Behcet’s disease was completed in Turkey in April 2008. Results are expected by the end of the second quarter of 2008. A FDA Phase II study for oral interferon treatment of oral warts (human pappilomavirus) in HIV+ patients in the US is more than 50% enrolled and results are expected at the end of 2008. Texas Tech University has launched an oral interferon treatment of chronic cough in COPD patients Phase II proof of concept study that is expected to be completed later in 2008. Amarillo Biosciences also plans to start a chronic cough Phase II study involving 4 weeks of treatment with a 4 week follow up.
Results are expected by the end of 2008.

What is your company’s short / long term focus?
Our short-term focus is to complete a Phase II proof of concept chronic cough study in COPD patients. Then proceed to start a Phase IIb chronic cough dose-ranging study and identify partners for global commercialization.
Our longer-term focus will be on other diseases such as hepatitis C and influenza that affect large populations because these have much greater sales potential, like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Taking all that into account, how do you believe this is reflected in your current share price?
We believe that our shares are strongly undervalued. We are currently finishing important Phase II studies, which will bring us closer to FDA approval. Also with Dr. Müller we gained an important asset and see us in a very strong position to negotiate strategic alliances with big pharmaceuticals for the final phase of the research studies. As many big pharmaceuticals have empty pipelines, they will be looking for research partners like us to deliver them blockbusters on a global scale, which we know we have.

Mr. Cummins, thank you very much for answering our questoins.



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Stammdaten

Ausstehende Aktien: 29,3 Mio.
Aktienkurs: 0,194 Euro
Marktkapitalisierung: 5,68 Mio. Euro


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