Aethlon Medical Releases Smallpox Related Research Data.

SAN DIEGO -- Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD) today disclosed that researchers have completed in vitro studies that verify the ability of the Aethlon Hemopurifier[R] to effectively capture monkeypox virus (MPV). MPV represents a primary model to study candidate therapies for smallpox virus as research with human infectious smallpox is prohibited. In studies recently initiated by researchers, high concentrations of MPV (approximately 35 thousand cpu/ml) were rapidly depleted from cell culture fluids when circulated through the Hemopurifier[R]. The study data indicated that the Hemopurifier[R] removed 46 percent of infectious MPV in the first hour of testing, 82 percent after six hours, and 98 percent after 20 hours. The studies were conducted in triplicate and data verification was provided by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Smallpox is considered to be a Category "A" bioterror threat by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

"The MPV data extends our leadership position in the emerging broad-spectrum therapy industry and reflects continued progress towards our goal of introducing the first medical device able to mimic and augment the ability of the natural immune response to clear infectious viruses from circulation," stated James A. Joyce, chairman and CEO of Aethlon Medical.

Aethlon researchers previously verified that the Hemopurifier[R] is effective if removing vaccinia virus from human blood. Vaccinia is the "live pox-type virus" used in the smallpox vaccine. In the study, high concentrations of vaccinia virus (initially 41 thousand cpm) were combined with human blood and then circulated through the Hemopurifier[R]. Researchers documented that 85 percent of vaccinia virus was removed from circulation in the first hour, 90 percent in the second hour, and 97 percent after 18 hours.

The MPV and vaccinia data further reinforces the use of the Hemopurifier[R] as a candidate broad-spectrum treatment against bioterror threats, and will be included in a June 4th response to a government contract opportunity entitled "Application of Platform Technologies for the Development of Therapeutic Agents for Biodefense". The data also documents the potential of the Hemopurifier[R] to address specific smallpox treatment priorities that have been set forth by the U.S. government. These include:

* A post-exposure antiviral treatment able to mitigate the effects of smallpox disease and potentially work against a variety of pox-viruses.

* A treatment for military, government, and civilian populations who suffer life threatening adverse reactions to vaccinia-derived smallpox vaccines.

* A therapeutic available for immunocompromised and at-risk populations, including children, pregnant women, and senior citizens for whom administration of smallpox vaccines may be medically contraindicated.

To reinforce the broad-spectrum capabilities of the Hemopurifier[R], Aethlon's upcoming contract response will also include supporting pre-clinical data against; Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Lassa hemorrhagic fever, H5N1 avian influenza (Bird Flu), the reconstructed 1918 influenza virus, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis-C virus (HCV), and West Nile Virus (WNV).

Most of the pathogens considered to be material bioterror threats are untreatable with traditional drug and vaccine therapies. Effective treatments are either non-existent, of limited usefulness, or vulnerable to both naturally emerging and intentionally engineered pathogens. Innovative therapies offering broad-spectrum activity against different classes of microbes could potentially be effective against both traditional and non-traditional threats. Broad-spectrum therapies also provide the possibility that a limited number of treatment countermeasures could replace the need for the staggering number of pathogen-specific drugs that would be required for emergency use in bioterror and pandemic threat programs. Additionally, broad-spectrum strategies that are able to overcome drug resistance could extend the clinical utility of existing therapies. For these reasons, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently mandated that therapies able to demonstrate broad-spectrum effectiveness against multiple pathogens are to be the focal point of government programs that fund the development and commercialization of countermeasures against bioterror and pandemic threats. Aethlon Medical considers the Hemopurifier[R] to be the leading broad-spectrum candidate as evidenced by its breadth of pre-clinical data and human treatment experience.

About Aethlon Medical

Aethlon Medical is the developer of the Hemopurifier[R], a first-in-class medical device designed to treat infectious disease. The Hemopurifier[R] provides real-time therapeutic filtration of infectious viruses and immunosuppressive particles, and is positioned to address the treatment of drug and vaccine resistant viruses. Additionally, the device holds promise in cancer care, as research studies have verified the Hemopurifier[R] is able to capture immunosuppressive particles secreted by tumors. The Hemopurifier[R] is designed to act both as a stand-alone therapeutic, and as an adjunct treatment to enhance clinical benefit of established therapies. Pre-clinical studies conducted by researchers representing leading government and non-government health organizations both in the United States and abroad have documented the effectiveness of the Hemopurifier[R] in capturing from circulation the viruses that constitute pandemic threats, including H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu), and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) from circulation. The company is conducting studies to support the use of the Hemopurifier[R] as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against bioterror threats, including Smallpox, and Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa hemorrhagic fever. Regulatory and commercialization initiatives in the United States are presently focused on bioterror threats, while international initiatives are directed toward naturally evolving pandemic threats, and chronic infectious disease conditions including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis-C (HCV). Aethlon demonstrated the safety of the Hemopurifier[R] in a 24-treatment human study at the Apollo Hospital in Delhi, India, and is currently conducting further human studies at the Fortis Hospital, also located in Delhi. The company has submitted an investigational device exemption (IDE) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance the Hemopurifier([R])as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against category "A" bioterror threats. Additional information regarding Aethlon Medical and its Hemopurifier([R]) technology is available online at www.aethlonmedical.com.

Certain of the statements herein may be forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Aethlon Medical, Inc to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company's ability to raise capital when needed, the Company's ability to complete the development of its planned products, the ability of the Company to obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals permitting the sale of its products, the Company's ability to manufacture its products and provide its services, the impact of government regulations, patent protection on the Company's proprietary technology, product liability exposure, uncertainty of market acceptance, competition, technological change, and other risk factors. Additionally, there is no assurance that the Company will be the recipient of funding awards, grants, or contracts from any government agency. In such instances, actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.