Data Suggests Homspera Shows Promise As an Adjuvant for Vaccines against Avian Flu and Other Viruses SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. (OTC:IRBO) (BULLETIN BOARD: IRBO) announced today that preliminary data from its influenza vaccine adjuvant study being performed in conjunction with GenPhar Inc. indicates Homspera elevates host immune responsiveness above that induced by vaccine alone system. These results are from an ongoing study, and are a strong indication that Homspera may demonstrate adjuvant capabilities, and thus be capable of augmenting host immune system responsiveness to vaccines for diseases such as pandemic avian influenza, seasonal influenza, and perhaps others for which vaccines exist or are under development. Adjuvants are common additions to vaccine formulations, as they enable the vaccine to induce a strong immune reaction in vaccinated individuals, helping to ensure adequate immunological protection. The Homspera studies, being carried out by GenPhar, examine the impact of vaccination with pieces of influenza viruses (a current H5N1 "avian influenza" strain and from the 1918 Spanish Influenza virus). A fear of many scientists and public health officials is that the current avian influenza endemic to Southeast Asia may mutate sufficiently to become more easily transmitted among humans, yet maintain its highly pathogenic nature. Such an event, centered on the virus currently exhibiting mortality in infected humans of approximately 50%, can trigger a rapid global spread of highly pathogenic virus with disastrous consequences. Vaccines against avian influenza are not available in volumes needed to inoculate a significant percentage of the world's population. Similarly, the most effective prophylactic or therapeutic drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu(R), Roche), is reportedly not being stockpiled in amounts adequate to provide protection to the at-risk population. As the World Health Organization notes, when the next pandemic virus strain emerges, it could circle the globe in three months and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Subsequent waves of virus spread would add to the economic and social dislocation. Whatever drugs or vaccines are available at the start of the pandemic must be sufficient to vaccinate or treat the maximum number of people within weeks or at most, a few months. Adjuvants provide the capability to maximize the number of individuals who can be treated with a limited amount of vaccine. In conjunction with Homspera's previously reported capability to decrease influenza viral titers and symptoms in the cotton rat model of influenza, the adjuvant capability makes Homspera a highly desirable candidate product for use in influenza. ImmuneRegen BioSciences will continue to explore this capability of its Homspera compound. About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. IR BioSciences Holdings Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., is a development stage biotechnology company focused on the research and development of Homspera(TM) and its derivatives Radilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM), which are designed to be used as countermeasures for multiple homeland security bioterrorism threats. Homspera is derived from modified Substance P, a naturally occurring peptide immunomodulator and homeostatic compound with the dual effect of improving pulmonary function and the stimulation of the human immune system. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.immuneregen.com/. Statements about the Company's future expectations, including statements about the potential for the Company's drug candidates, science and technology, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and, together with the Company's business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of a number of factors, including the fact that preliminary results involved only a small number of test mice, the subsequent investigations were limited in scope, the uncertainties inherent in research and development collaborations, pre- clinical and clinical trials and product development programs, (including, but not limited to the fact that future results or research and development efforts may prove less encouraging than current results or cause side effects not observed in current pre-clinical trials) the evaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures and monies available for further studies, capital market conditions, and others set forth in the Company's periodic report on Form 10-QSB for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and on Form 10-KSB for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no guarantees that any of the Company's proposed products will prove to be commercially successful. The Company undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements. Contact: MEDIA CONTACT: W. Jason Grimley Spelling Communications 310-477-9500 INVESTOR CONTACT: Josh Reynolds CEOcast, Inc. 212-732-4300 IN-HOUSE INVESTOR CONTACT: Bill Lane ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. 480-922-3926 DATASOURCE: IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: MEDIA: W. Jason Grimley of Spelling Communications, +1-310-477-9500, ; INVESTORS: Josh Reynolds of CEOcast, Inc., +1-212-732-4300, ; or IN-HOUSE INVESTOR CONTACT: Bill Lane of ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., +1-480-922-3926, Web site: http://www.immuneregen.com/

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