Growth of Multiferon(TM) Sales Program Named as Top Priority
PLANTATION, Fla., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viragen, Inc.
(Amex: VRA) today announced the appointment of Charles A. Rice as President
and Chief Executive Officer. He replaces Robert C. Salisbury who will
continue to serve as a member of Viragen's Board of Directors and as President
and CEO of Viragen's wholly-owned avian transgenics subsidiary, ViraGenics,
Inc.
Mr. Rice is a proven executive with 30 years of experience managing,
directing and building stockholder value for companies in the life science
industry. Most recently, he served as Group President of KV Pharmaceutical
Company with responsibility for commercial activities. He previously served
as President and CEO of Dey, Inc., a division of Germany's Merck KGaA, where
he developed and implemented strategies to create a rapidly growing and
profitable business. He was credited for growing Dey's sales 15-fold over a
10-year period and expanding its workforce to over 1,000 people. Under Mr.
Rice's leadership, Merck KGaA recognized Dey as one of its most profitable
units.
"With the addition of Charles Rice, we gain a skilled and seasoned
executive determined to steer Viragen with focus and innovative vision which
we expect will translate into realizing commercial opportunities," stated
Viragen's Chairman, Carl N. Singer. "Charles has an outstanding track record
of creating aggressive strategies while increasing stockholder value for
rapidly growing organizations and his leadership should greatly contribute to
drive the Company's global initiatives and produce strong business results."
Commenting on his new role, Mr. Rice stated, "This is an opportunity to
work with a solid core of talent and technology and to harness past
achievements to take Viragen to the next level -- as a leading manufacturer of
human natural alpha interferon and respected developer of important new
healthcare technologies.
"While our top priority will be to improve sales of Multiferon, I am
encouraged by Viragen's pipeline of development products, plus the dramatic
potential of Avian Transgenic Technology. I'm excited to join the Viragen
team and I look forward to contributing to success for our stockholders as we
move forward with our business plan."
Mr. Rice has a degree in Biology from Georgia College and extensive
business education and experience through training and coursework at a variety
of domestic and international universities, in addition to continuous
participation in industry organizations.
Mr. Singer added, "The Board thanks Robert Salisbury for his service as
President and CEO and we look forward to his continued contributions on the
VRA Board and steering ViraGenics. Bob accepted senior responsibility during
a challenging period and under his direction we have accomplished many
important goals. By building upon this foundation, we foresee a period of
dynamic growth ahead."
For more information, please visit our Web site at: http://www.Viragen.com
About Viragen, Inc.
Viragen is a biotechnology company specializing in the research,
development and commercialization of natural and recombinant protein-based
drugs designed to treat a broad range of viral and malignant diseases. These
protein-based drugs include natural human alpha interferon, monoclonal
antibodies, peptide drugs and therapeutic vaccines. Viragen's strategy also
includes the development of Avian Transgenic Technology for the large-scale,
cost-effective manufacturing of its portfolio of protein-based drugs, as well
as offering Contract Manufacturing for the biopharmaceutical industry.
Viragen is publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (VRA).
Viragen's majority owned subsidiary, Viragen International, Inc., is publicly
traded on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (VGNI). Viragen's key partners
and licensors include: Roslin Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, Cancer Research UK, University of Nottingham (U.K.), University of
Miami, America's Blood Centers and the German Red Cross.
Viragen, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications
Phone: (954) 233-8746; Fax: (954) 233-1414
E-mail: dcalder@viragen.com
The foregoing press announcement contains forward-looking statements that
can be identified by such terminology such as "expect", "potential",
"suggests", "may", "will", "should", "could" or similar expressions. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such statements. In particular, management's expectations regarding future
research, development and/or commercial results could be affected by, among
other things, uncertainties relating to clinical trials and product
development; availability of future financing; unexpected regulatory delays or
government regulation generally; the Company's ability to obtain or maintain
patent and other proprietary intellectual property protection; and competition
in general. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are
made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to
reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking
statements are made.
SOURCE Viragen, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.viragen.com
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CONTACT:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications,
Viragen, Inc., +1-954-233-8746, or fax, +1-954-233-1414, or
dcalder@viragen.com
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