Viragen Reports Results from Preliminary Avian Flu Studies - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[wayne99]

Press Release Source: Viragen, Inc.; Viragen International, Inc.

Viragen Reports Results from Preliminary Avian Flu Studies
Friday November 18, 2:23 pm ET
Initial In Vitro Results Show Multiferon(R) to Be Effective Against Virus; Further Studies Needed

PLANTATION, Fla., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viragen, Inc. (Amex: VRA - News) and Viragen International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VGNI - News) today announced that preliminary in vitro studies conducted by a U.S. research organization have found Multiferon® (multi-subtype, human natural alpha interferon) to show significant anti-viral activity against the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus. These early-stage studies found Multiferon® to be significantly more active against the virus than recombinant alpha interferon, recombinant beta interferon or ribavirin. Viragen officials believe these results suggest that Multiferon® may have utility against this viral threat and is a prime candidate worthy of further evaluation in additional avian influenza studies.

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The studies were conducted by Birmingham, Ala.-based Southern Research Institute, an independent, not-for-profit center for scientific research. In the evaluations, Southern Research scientists exposed a standard cell line to a range of concentrations of Multiferon®, recombinant alpha interferon, recombinant beta interferon and ribavirin, all of which were then separately exposed to the H5N1 avian influenza virus. It was found that not only was Multiferon® highly active against the virus, being able to protect the cells against viral infection, but furthermore, it was found to be far more active than the other three products tested. Multiferon® showed potent anti-viral efficacy at low concentrations and was non-toxic to the cells.

While these studies represent only a preliminary evaluation, and success in the in vivo or clinical stages cannot be guaranteed, the data suggests that Multiferon® may have immuno-protective and anti-viral activity against this particular strain of virus, and furthermore, may be more effective than other anti-viral products, including recombinant alpha interferon.

The data obtained from these studies has been included to supplement Viragen`s patent application filed with the United Kingdom`s Patent Office in February 2004 covering the use of natural, multi-subtype alpha interferon for human treatment and prevention of avian influenza virus.

About Multiferon®:

Multiferon® is a highly purified, multi-subtype, natural human alpha interferon. Marketed as "the natural choice,"(TM) it is approved for sale in ten international markets (non-U.S.) for the first-line or rescue therapy of a broad range of infectious diseases and cancers. Earlier this year, Viragen filed an application in Sweden to seek expanded approval for Multiferon® to include the first-line adjuvant treatment of high-risk malignant melanoma. A decision is expected imminently.

About Viragen, Inc.:

With global operations in the U.S., Scotland and Sweden, Viragen is a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of pharmaceutical proteins for the treatment of viral diseases and cancers. Our product portfolio includes: Multiferon® (multi- subtype, natural human alpha interferon) targeting a broad range of infectious and malignant diseases; and humanized monoclonal antibodies targeting specific antigens over-expressed on many types of cancers. We are also pioneering the development of Avian Transgenic Technology, with the renowned Roslin Institute, as a revolutionary manufacturing platform for the large-scale, efficient and economical production of human therapeutic proteins and antibodies.

About Southern Research Institute:

Southern Research is an independent, not-for-profit center for scientific research which conducts studies in preclinical drug discovery and development for cancer, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Southern Research has facilities in Birmingham, Ala., Frederick, Md., and Research Triangle Park, N.C. Its scientists have discovered six of the FDA approved anticancer drugs on the market, and are often on the forefront in therapeutic research to address emerging public health threats.

For more information, visit: http://www.southernresearch.org

For more information, please visit: http://www.Viragen.com

Viragen, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

The foregoing press announcement contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "expect," "potential," "suggests," "may," "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.; Viragen International, Inc.

[wayne99]

Viragen drug shows potential to fight bird flu
Fri Nov 18, 2005 02:55 PM ET
NEW YORK, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Biotech company Viragen Inc. (VRA.A: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday said preliminary in-vitro studies of its drug Multiferon showed that it was effective against the virus that causes avian flu.

The early-stage studies, conducted by the not-for-profit Southern Research Institute, showed that Multiferon was more active than other products against the H5N1 influenza virus.

Viragen said it believes the drug, sold in 10 markets outside the United States for infectious diseases and cancer, may have "utility" against the virus, and that it is a prime candidate worthy of further evaluation.


© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq and all other quotes delayed by at least 15 minutes. Reuters does not endorse the views or opinions given by any third party content provider.

[wayne99]

Das war zwar heute schon heftig, was da in den letzten 90 Min. abging nach der Meldung, aber am Montag dürfte es weitergehen - waren ja schon viele im Wochenende

VRA 4:02pm 0.65 +0.29 +80.56% 0.77 0.79 8,379,200

[Schablonski]

[posting]18.873.119 von wayne99 am 18.11.05 22:29:32[/posting]Vorsicht,
ich bin in diesen Wert beim letzten Vogelgrippenhype vor zwei Jahren eingestiegen und nach kurzer Euphorie gab es einen nur noch deprimierenden Kursverlauf.
Sicherlich wird am Montag erst nochmal Feuer drin sein bevor es in den USA losgeht, aber ein Rückschlag ist schon wieder vorauszusehen, da die Firma knapp bei Kasse ist
Viel Glück

[wayne99]

!

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[wayne99]

Press Release Source: Viragen, Inc.

Viragen Comments on Avian Flu Results
Monday November 21, 6:00 am ET

PLANTATION, Fla., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Representatives from Viragen, Inc. (Amex: VRA - News) and Viragen International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VGNI - News) provided comments related to a recent announcement reporting positive preliminary in vitro results from studies on Multiferon® (multi-subtype, human natural alpha interferon) and the H5N1 virus, the cause of avian flu.

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President and CEO Charles A. Rice expressed cautious optimism stating, "While the initial results obtained by Southern Research Institute are encouraging, they do strongly suggest the need for further studies to determine how Multiferon® might be used in combating the avian influenza threat. It is widely publicized that some drugs currently being stockpiled could be susceptible to viral resistance, or may not be active against this particular strain of the virus. Additionally, the virus responsible for any eventual pandemic may not be the H5N1 strain. Multiferon® may represent a different approach to treatment in that it has been shown to exhibit rather broad anti-viral activity. I can also confirm that separate studies are ongoing in a variety of other emerging viral threats in cooperation with a number of independent investigators."

Vice President and Managing Director of Viragen (Scotland) Ltd. Karen Jervis, Ph.D., outlined the steps necessary to position the product as an avian flu treatment candidate, "We need to conduct further confirmatory in vitro investigations to determine the lower ranges at which Multiferon® is active against the virus, while directly comparing it to a broader spectrum of anti-viral products. Provided these results are supportive, we would then want to progress to in vivo studies to assess the activity. We are currently investigating availability of grants, government funding opportunities, government and institutional research collaborations and all other means whereby we can complete additional work."

About Multiferon®:

Multiferon® is a highly purified, multi-subtype, natural human alpha interferon. Marketed as "the natural choice"(TM), it is approved for sale in ten international markets (non-U.S.) for the first-line or rescue therapy of a broad range of infectious diseases and cancers. Earlier this year, Viragen filed an application in Sweden to seek expanded approval for Multiferon® to include the first-line adjuvant treatment of high-risk malignant melanoma. A decision is expected imminently.

About Viragen, Inc.:

With global operations in the U.S., Scotland and Sweden, Viragen is a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of pharmaceutical proteins for the treatment of viral diseases and cancers. Our product portfolio includes: Multiferon® (multi- subtype, natural human alpha interferon) targeting a broad range of infectious and malignant diseases; and humanized monoclonal antibodies targeting specific antigens over-expressed on many types of cancers. We are also pioneering the development of Avian Transgenic Technology, with the renowned Roslin Institute, as a revolutionary manufacturing platform for the large-scale, efficient and economical production of human therapeutic proteins and antibodies.

For more information, please visit: http://www.Viragen.com .

Viragen, Inc. Corporate Contact:
Douglas Calder, Director of Communications
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

The foregoing press announcement contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "expect," "potential," "suggests," "may," "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.

[blb]

Viragen-Medikamant Multiferon hilft möglicherweise gegen Vogelgrippe

PLANTATION (dpa-AFX) - Das Medikament Multiferon des Biotechnologieunternehmen Viragen kann nach Aussage des Unternehmens möglicherweise auch gegen die Vogelgrippe eingesetzt werden. "Die Anfangsresultate sind ermutigend", sagte Viragen-Chef Charles A. Rice am Montag. Nun müsse mit Nachdruck erforscht werden, wie Multiferon im Kampf gegen die Vogelgrippe eingesetzt werden kann. Multiferon ist in erster Linie ein Mittel zu Therapie einer Vielzahl von Infektionskrankheiten./jkr/kro

Quelle: dpa-AFX