MELVILLE, N.Y., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- V. I. Technologies, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VITX) announced today that it expects one-time costs associated with
the recent recall of PLAS+SD to total approximately $3.0 million, or $0.24 per
share.  The total amount includes production testing costs, inventory losses,
recall expenses, cost of idle production facilities, and also a reserve for
equitable sharing of recall costs incurred by the Company's exclusive
distributor, the American National Red Cross (ANRC).  While the Company
believes it is not contractually liable for ANRC costs in this situation,
covering a portion of such costs is consistent with the spirit of the
partnership.  Discussions with the ANRC are ongoing and should be resolved
shortly.
    The Company expects sales for the second quarter to be approximately
$9 million and to report a net loss in the range of $3.0 to $3.5 million, or
$0.24 to $0.28 per share.  This includes a charge for the one-time recall as
well as delays in shipments and production while the Company implemented new
testing procedures.  Production and shipments have since returned to normal
levels and the Company expects to make up the shipment shortfall under its
agreement with the ANRC over the balance of the year.  The Company plans to
release its second quarter results on July 20, 1999.
    The recall was associated with the heightened presence of parvovirus B19
in certain production lots and was announced on April 16.  The recall was
completed on May 12, 1999.
    VITEX is developing a cost-effective method to screen untreated plasma for
parvovirus B19 prior to manufacture and also to screen solvent detergent
treated plasma prior to release into the marketplace.  This screening uses an
experimental, highly sensitive PCR technology.  The Company is completing
formal validation of the technique and intends to apply to the FDA for a
parvovirus B19 label claim with approval expected in early 2000.  A similar
label claim was recently achieved by the Company for hepatitis A.
    VITEX is a leading developer and manufacturer of a broad portfolio of
blood products that utilize its patented viral inactivation technologies to
achieve the greatest possible safety in 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 first 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.

    To receive additional information on V.I. Technologies, Inc., via fax, at
no charge, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter code VITX.

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