VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
March 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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
Neither the CNSX Exchange nor its
regulations services accepts responsibility
for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact:
Mr. Mike Withrow
778-896-6536
SOURCE Abattis Bioceuticals Corp.