Abattis Participates In Project On A Whole Plant Therapeutic For Treating Malaria And Other Diseases And Reducing Drug Resistance
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. ("Abattis" or the "Company") (CNSX: FLU) (OTC: ATTBF), is pleased to announce its participation in a research project led by Pamela Weathers, Professor of Biology and Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Mass. that is investigating a whole plant therapeutic for treating malaria and other diseases, one that may also reduce drug resistance.
Mr. Mike Withrow, Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Company, stated, "We are very excited to have the opportunity to explore a highly innovative approach to treat those diseases that are responsive to artemisinin. Our vertical hydroponic system and extraction methods could assist Professor Weathers' efforts in cultivating Artemisia annua for further developing this therapeutic technology."
Artemisinin, derived from the sweet wormwood plant, Artemisia annua, is an effective treatment for malaria, but it is expensive to produce (particularly when combined with other antimalarial medications to make it less prone to resistance) and is frequently in short supply. Research by the Weathers team has shown that powdered dried leaves from the plant may be a far more effective antimalarial treatment than purified artemisinin and may greatly reduce the risk of resistance.
"Working with Abattis provides an exciting opportunity to move this important medicinal plant into commercial utility for broader public use. I am looking forward to what I anticipate will be a very fruitful relationship," said Professor Weathers.
Professor Weathers received her Ph.D. at the Michigan State University Plant Research Lab in 1974. She has received numerous awards for her research and many international speaking invitations. She is a Fellow of the Society for In Vitro Biology. Her work on A. annua spans over 20 years and her team was the first to genetically transform the plant. She has several patents and about 100 peer-reviewed publications, of which more than a third are on A. annua or artemisinin. She has supervised many undergraduate and graduate student theses on many aspects of plant biotechnology including bioreactor development for in vitro plant propagation.
About Abattis Bioceuticals Corp.
Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. is a specialty biotechnology company with capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiaries of producing, licensing and marketing proprietary ingredients and products containing standardized phytochemicals for sale in Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Cosmetic and Animal Nutrition markets. The company also has a deep pipeline of proprietary products ready for sale in high growth areas of Functional Foods and Supplements business. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.abattis.com.
About Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI was one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. WPI's talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 30 WPI project centers throughout North America and Central America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Michael Withrow"
Michael Withrow, President & CEO
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for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact:
Mr. Mike Withrow
778-896-6536
SOURCE: Abattis Bioceuticals Corp.
http://www.abattis.com
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