PLANTATION, Fla., June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viragen, Inc.
(Amex: VRA) today announced that an article published in a Scandinavian
medical journal concludes that Multiferon(TM) provides an effective
therapeutic alternative for difficult-to-treat patients with chronic hepatitis
C and hepatitis-associated thrombocytopenia. The article, titled "Successful
Long-term Application of Highly Purified Natural Interferon-alpha (Multiferon)
after Preceding Interferon Approaches in a Chronic Hepatitis C Patient with
Thrombocytopenia," was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Infectious
Diseases (Musch et al, Volume 36, Issue 5).
The article reports on the treatment of a patient with chronic hepatitis C
(genotype 1b) and cirrhosis who had failed previous therapies of recombinant
alpha interferon and natural beta interferon. After the patient was switched
to Multiferon, the thrombocyte and leukocyte counts increased significantly,
to normal levels, and a sustained complete biochemical and virological
response was achieved, the desired result.
The complete publication is available at:
http://www.Viragen.com/MultiferonPub.htm
"Although this report involves only a single patient, peer-reviewed
patient experience supporting the use of Multiferon against certain viral and
malignant diseases is invaluable in distinguishing the positioning of
Multiferon to physicians," stated Viragen's President and CEO, Mr. Charles A.
Rice. "Because such a high percentage of hepatitis C patients fail
recombinant alpha interferon therapy, Multiferon represents 'the natural
choice' as an alternative for physicians and patients."
About Alpha Interferon:
The majority of alpha interferons that are marketed are single-subtype
recombinant interferons. Therapy resistance is not unusual with recombinant
interferons with a significant percentage of patients failing to respond to
standard therapy. In some instances, recombinant interferon is rejected by
the patient's immune system, possibly the result of the formation of
neutralizing antibodies which may lead to a loss of clinical efficacy. Also,
many patients cannot tolerate the adverse side effects sometimes associated
with recombinant therapy.
About Multiferon(TM):
Multiferon is a highly purified, multi-subtype, natural human alpha
interferon derived from human white blood cells and is approved in Sweden for
the second-line treatment of any and all diseases in which patients show an
initial response to recombinant (synthetic) alpha interferon followed by
treatment failure, probably due to the formation of neutralizing antibodies.
Multiferon is also approved for sale in the following countries for the
treatment of a range of viral and malignant diseases: Czech Republic, Egypt,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar, South Africa and Thailand. Work is
ongoing to expand the approved indications in these countries. Regulatory
approval processes are also underway in a number of other South American,
Middle East and Far East territories.
To view a print ad for Multiferon, please visit:
http://www.Viragen.com/multiferonad.htm
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 and a peptide drug. Viragen's strategy also includes the
development of Avian Transgenic Technology as a biomanufacturing platform for
the large-scale, cost-effective production of therapeutic proteins.
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.
For more information, please visit: http://www.Viragen.com
Viragen, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Douglas W. 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.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.viragen.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010426/HSTH018LOGO-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Douglas W. Calder, Director of Communications
of Viragen, Inc., +1-954-233-8746, or fax, +1-954-233-1414, or
dcalder@viragen.com
|
