Texas Tech receives $526,000 to support flu research

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Tech to get $526,000 for flu research project http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/011808/loc_237713119.shtml By Pittman | MORRIS NEWS SERVICE Friday, January 18, 2008Story last updated at 1/18/2008 - 1:42 am AMARILLO - Texas Tech will receive $526,000 to support flu research thanks in part to the lobbying efforts of an Amarillo biotechnology company. School officials are organizing the West Texas Influenza Research Center, which will likely include research efforts of Amarillo Biosciences. Berk, dean of the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, said the center, which will utilize resources from all six HSC campuses, including Amarillo, will test potential flu treatments. It also will examine public policy issues related to preparing West Texas for a pandemic influenza attack. "It is true that Amarillo Biosciences has a potential treatment that deserves to be tested," Berk said. Amarillo Biosciences is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration to use its low-dose oral interferon as treatment for a number of conditions, including the virus that causes avian influenza and started the pandemic

outbreak of 1918. Interferon is an antiviral protein naturally produced in the body. Amarillo Biosciences makes it, puts it in solid form and people can suck on the aspirin-sized tablet until it dissolves in their mouth. The protein has shown promise in treating mice. The company is working on developing human studies the new Tech center could help with. "We don't need any more mice studies," Amarillo Biosciences Chief Executive and President ph Cummins said. The company is trying to start human studies in Australia and Malaysia. "We could conceivably have three different studies on influenza ongoing in 2008," Cummins said. Most public health officials believe a pandemic influenza will hit the U.S. in a matter of time. "It will come. It just takes time," Cummins said. "It may not be in my

lifetime, but it will come." The money comes from earmark funding in the federal budget - the largest earmark the school received this year. The school initially requested $1.5 million for the center. "I think we can do a good job with the funds that we have even though it's less than we requested," Berk said.

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