PLANTATION, Fla., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viragen, Inc.
(Amex: VRA) and Viragen International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VGNI) today
announced they have been granted U.S. Patent 6,743,624 from the United States
Patent & Trademark Office for a process relating to the manufacture of
Multiferon(TM), a natural human alpha interferon drug derived from human white
blood cells.
The issued patent titled, "Process For Continuous Purification And
Concentration Of Leukocytes From Blood," relates to a novel process used to
concentrate leukocytes (human white blood cells) during the production of
Multiferon, which results in an enhanced yield of interferon from the cell
preparation.
"Obtaining patent protection for this key aspect of our manufacturing
technology represents one step in providing Viragen with an important
competitive advantage as we continue our evaluation of ways to bring
Multiferon to the United States," stated Viragen's Executive Vice President,
Mr. Mel Rothberg. "We continue to review the multiple options available to us
for this part of our Multiferon strategy."
About Alpha Interferon:
The majority of alpha interferons that are marketed for the treatment of a
broad range of viral and malignant diseases 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.
Multiferon is not approved for sale in the United States, and Viragen is
required to file an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be allowed to test the drug in U.S.
human studies.
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 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
http://www.Viragen.com/multiferonad.htm
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CONTACT:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications,
Viragen, +1-954-233-8746, or fax, +1-954-233-1414, or
dcalder@viragen.com
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