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ZACH + MARIE

^{On September 24 2009, a dynamic group of young professionals will join forces in New York to throw the debut charity benefit for Covalent Immunology Foundation: HARD MEDICINE. This event celebrates the Foundation’s groundbreaking research in catalytic antibody technology in the fight against HIV and their socially conscious plans for distribution of medical care.}

^{In a scientific breakthrough that may expedite development of a vaccine to prevent and treat HIV infection, Dr. Sudhir Paul at The University of Texas Health Sciences at Houston has published the development of a chemically activated prototype vaccine that causes production of protective antibodies against genetically-diverse strains of HIV in an animal model. The report is currently online and will appear in a print issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry in November.}

^{Dr. Paul, who has been an antibody researcher for over 30 years, said “Our findings open a new path to develop an effective preventative and therapeutic vaccine. The prototype vaccine activates the immune system covalently, a type of chemical bonding that successfully eliminates nature’s restrictions on production of protective antibodies to HIV by the immune system. This work is based on our previous findings of abzymes, antibodies with enzymatic activities that catalyze efficient destruction of target proteins”.}

^{The mission of Covalent Immunology Foundation (CIF) is to raise awareness and support research on the covalent vaccination and abzymes technologies. According to CIF, these technologies will enable development of low-cost and innovative medicines for many millions worldwide who are struggling with intractable diseases like HIV infection and Alzheimer’s disease.}

^{The groundbreaking work of Dr. Paul has inspired a dynamic group of professionals lead by Zachary Barnett and Marie La France to join forces in New York and organize HARD MEDICINE, a charity benefit to be held on September 24th.}

^{HARD MEDICINE will be a 300 person gala at the Red Bull Event Space in SoHo, and will jump-start the Foundation’s mission. The goal of HARD MEDICINE is to raise approximately $40,000 needed to launch a national fundraising campaign and to generate worldwide support for CIF’s mission.The guest of honor, Dr. Paul, will be joined by a diverse group of influential young New Yorkers and celebrities from the worlds of fashion, music, art, and media. The evening will feature a live performance from Amanda Blank, DJ’s Josh Sparber and Lauren Flax, and a silent auction with original artwork and items from exclusive fashion labels including DVF and Bottega Veneta. Guests will receive a limited edition CIF necklace specially designed by Bing Bang Jewelry. The exclusive debut of a video specially designed to raise funds online from donors around the world will be unveiled at the event. The video will feature celebrities and high-profile activists coming together to raise funds online from around the world based on a small-donation model.  The funds will support and speed Dr. Paul’s work on developing an HIV vaccine and abzyme treatments for the tens of millions with intractable diseases.}

^{“We have complete faith that Dr. Paul can bring this vaccine to fruition expeditiously and we’re pooling together our resources to help give him a chance to succeed,” said HARD MEDICINE Co-Founder Zachary Barnett.  “What’s unique about HARD MEDICINE is that we’re democratizing scientific research and enabling people to donate directly to a specific type of innovative research with which they feel a strong affinity.”}

^{For more information or to find out how you can get involved or to purchase tickets, please visit www.covalentimmunology.org}

^{HARD MEDICINE is based in NYC, founded by Zachary Barnett and Marie La France.  It’s also supported by a coalition of over 25 creative individuals who are donating their time to support one scientist’s fight against HIV and other untreatable diseases. HARD MEDICINE will be a fun way to make tangible difference, changing the way we look at charitable support of innovative medical research and development.}