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11/19/96 Helix Bio Interview -3-: New Drugs Are Years From Market

Helix Biopharma Corp.'s (T.HBP) ''blue-sky'' growth potential is in the form
of two drugs that could be used as alternatives to, or in conjunction with,
antibiotics, says Dr. Terrance Owen, president of the company. 
  
Neither drug is included in the company's financial projections nor have
they gone through clinical trials, but one is already available in Canada
through the emergency drug release plan, says Owen. 
  
This drug, ampligen, was developed by Hemispherx Biopharma Inc. (HEMX), a
U.S. company, and Helix holds the Canadian license. This antiviral and immune
modulating drug is a potential treatment for Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and certain cancers. Due in part to
the drug's prohibitive cost, ranging from $18,000 (U.S.) to $20,000 per
patient each year, Helix doesn't yet have any consumers in Canada for this
drug, Owen says. 
  
He remains optimistic about the potential of the drug and is ''quite
confident it will be approved'' because it is less expensive than paying
someone on long-term disability leave. 
  
Ultimately, Helix would like insurance companies to pay for the treatment,
adds Owen. 
  
He is especially confident ampligen will be approved in both Canada and the
U.S. because ''something like 44,000 doses have been given (in various trials
in the U.S.) with no side effects whatsoever.'' Owen adds that ampligen is
still three or four years away from being approved by Health Canada. 
  
Helix is also developing an anti-adhesion compound to treat oral and
vaginal yeast infections, says Owen. He sees a time when it might be taken in
a throat lozenge as preventative measure by people who are
immuno-compromised. 
  
He estimates this anti-adhesive, which works something like a Teflon
coating, is four to five years away from being approved. Helix is aiming to
start animal testing by December and Phase I clinical trials before July
1997, says Owen. 
  
Bin Huang, analyst with Griffiths McBurney & Partners, says that, because
ampligen is a totally new therapy, its acceptance by the medical community is
difficult to predict. She notes the anti-adhesion technology offers ''some
fizzle'' for the company's future growth and says that, overall, she's
optimistic about the company because of its focus on generic pharmaceuticals
and niche markets. 
  
(END) DOW JONES NEWS 11-19-96
   2:28 PM 

Copied from the PRODIGY(R) service 11/19/96 21:35