Health Professionals Inc. (HPI) files patent for method of growing hepatitis E virus.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 1996--

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) grown in the lab for the first time

Health Professionals Inc. (ASE:HPI) Thursday announced that together with collaborators it has filed a patent application for a method to isolate, culture and propagate the hepatitis E virus (HEV).

This method generally relates to the field of immunization against viral diseases and the serological diagnosis of those diseases. HEV can lead to death in up to 20% of infected pregnant women. If the patent is granted, it would allow for the exclusive right to develop, market and implement the invention for 18 years. The company can give no assurances that the patient will be approved.

The ability to isolate, propagate and maintain disease-causing viruses for experimentation has been an important first step in creating vaccines and manufacturing kits for serological diagnosis of those diseases. "If what we accomplished is confirmed by further research, this discovery could pave the way for developing a vaccine for hepatitis E," said Peter J. Gomatos, MD, PhD, Deputy Director of Research for HPI's Center for Special Immunology Inc. (CSI) subsidiary.

While working under the auspices of their parent institutions, Dr. Gomatos and Dr. Ray K. Arthur from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, may have made a significant medical breakthrough at the United States Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-3) in Cairo. If what these scientists believe is confirmed, they have succeeded for the first time in reliably growing and successfully propagating the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the laboratory. Such a discovery would pave the way to developing a vaccine for a disease which afflicts hundreds of thousands of people worldwide annually.

Dr. Gomatos continued: "HEV is one of the leading causes of acute hepatitis in the developing world, especially in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. In fact, an estimated 25% of cases of acute viral hepatitis in Egypt are due to HEV infection." The prevalence of HEV is low in the developed world, being detected mostly in persons who have recently traveled to endemic areas. Yet, as is the case with the hepatitis A vaccine, recommendation for hepatitis E vaccination when available can be expected for travelers to countries where this strain occurs.

Hepatitis E is caused by a virus which has not yet been fully studied and understood. It is believed to be related to Norwalk Agent, a common cause of diarrheal illness in adults. The hepatitis E virus is thought to be transmitted through contaminated water or food, just as is the hepatitis A virus. It typically causes self-limited symptoms of acute hepatitis with jaundice, yet at times may require hospitalization. Most people infected with this virus recover after 2-4 weeks. The virus infection rarely results in liver failure, however, up to 20% of HEV-infected pregnant women may die from this infection.

The scientists involved in the research stated that more tests are needed to verify their findings. After further confirming determining that the isolated virus hepatitis E, scientists will be able to develop assay kits to diagnose HEV infections. In addition, the ability to grow virus in the test tube will aid in the process of developing a vaccine strain. Vaccines have been already approved to immunize humans against hepatitis A and B viruses.

Health Professional Inc., through its Center for Special Immunology subsidiary, owns and operates a national health care delivery and clinical research system that includes a multi state network of primary care and clinical research facilities specializing in immune system disorders.

CONTACT: Health Professionals Inc., Fort Lauderdale

Peter J. Gomatos, MD, PhD

954/767-9444