MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- V. I. Technologies, Inc. (VITEX)
(Nasdaq: VITX) today will present preclinical data on its red blood cell viral
inactivation system at the Blood Safety and Screening conference in McLean,
Va.
    Data to be presented includes that from in vitro studies, as well as from
animal models.  This data demonstrates the ability of the company's red blood
cell treatment system to inactivate HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), BVDV
(a model for the Hepatitis C virus) and the parasites that cause malaria and
Chagas disease, below the limit of detection.  Importantly, the chemicals in
the treatment system have been shown to have low toxicity, are not mutagenic
and do not affect the performance of the red blood cells.
    VITEX's system for the viral inactivation of red blood cells is being
developed in collaboration with Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL) to improve the
safety of red blood cell transfusions.  This is done by inactivating viruses
and other pathogens which may be present, leaving the red cells unchanged.
VITEX's approach involves the use of a light activated compound termed Pc4
which has a high binding affinity for target viruses.  These viruses and other
pathogens that might be present in the red blood cells are killed when the
Pc4 is activated by light.  Concurrent with the viral inactivation step, VITEX
adds proprietary compounds that eliminate the damage that would otherwise
occur to the red blood cell structure.  Treated red blood cells remain
structurally and functionally intact and can be stored in a manner similar to
untreated red blood cells.  VITEX expects to file an IDE and begin clinical
trials for this product in the second half of 1999.
    Red blood cells deliver oxygen to and remove carbon dioxide from the
tissues.  Red blood cells are used in the care of patients with trauma, anemia
and certain genetic disorders.  Over 30 million units of red cells are
transfused annually worldwide at an estimated cost of $2-3 billion.  In the
United States, about 11 million units of red blood cells are transfused
annually with an estimated market value of $1.0 billion.
    VITEX is a leading developer and manufacturer of a broad portfolio of
blood products that utilize its patented viral inactivation technologies
designed to ensure safe blood products.  The technologies are tailored for all
blood component applications and other blood-derived products, including
plasma, plasma derivatives, red blood cells and platelets.  The first of
VITEX's virally-inactivated products, PLAS+SD, is the only FDA approved method
for viral inactivation of plasma.
    Central to VITEX's strategy are collaborations to accelerate the
commercialization of its products.  These include agreements with Bayer
Corporation to supply plasma fractions, the American National Red Cross to
distribute PLAS+SD, United States Surgical Corporation for the development and
distribution of fibrin sealant and Pall Corporation for the development and
distribution of systems for the viral inactivation of red blood cells and
platelets.
    Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These
statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as quarterly fluctuations in
operating results, the timely availability of new products, market acceptance
of the company's products, the impacts of competitive products and pricing,
government regulation of the company's products and other risks and
uncertainties set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.  These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results
to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made herein.

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