PLANTATION, FL (August 9, 2004) – Viragen, Inc. and Viragen International, Inc. announced they have been granted a U.S. patent for a process relating to the manufacture of Multiferon, 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 process used to concentrate leukocytes during the production of Multiferon, which results in an enhanced yield of interferon from the cell preparation.

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 alpha interferon followed by treatment failure, probably due to the formation of neutralizing antibodies.

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.