November 09, 2005 12:00 PM US Eastern Timezone

Talecris Biotherapeutics' Manufacturing Processes Safeguard Against Avian Bird Flu; Processes Assure Inactivation of Enveloped Viruses Like H5N1, Preventing Potential Transmission Through Talecris' Therapeutic Plasma Proteins

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2005--Continuing its commitment to providing reliable supplies of the safest possible products, Talecris Biotherapeutics has confirmed its plasma collection and manufacturing processes significantly remove or inactivate enveloped viruses, such as those belonging to the influenza virus family, including the H5N1 virus associated with avian bird flu. With this announcement, patients and physicians can feel confident that transmission of the avian bird flu virus, a current public health concern, is extremely unlikely to occur with the use of Talecris plasma-derived therapeutic proteins.

"This is very reassuring news for patient communities who rely on Talecris products," said John W. Walsh, President, CEO, and co-founder of the Alpha-1 Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, dedicated to providing the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection, and a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic disorder that can cause liver and lung disease in children and adults. "Collectively, the industry and the patient and treater communities have to remain diligent to maintain the safety of life-saving and life-enhancing biological products from known and emerging pathogens."

The virus associated with avian bird flu, H5N1, is an influenza virus. These viruses are relatively large and are known as "enveloped" viruses; that is, they have a lipid envelope that surrounds the genetic material of the virus. Concerns over the potential pandemic that have been the subject of recent news reports prompted Talecris to assess whether the plasma-derived therapeutic proteins it manufactures could carry a risk of transmission for patients.

"As an R&D organization, our goal is to ensure that our products have the highest possible margin of safety against known pathogens and emerging concerns such as avian bird flu, which potentially could find its way into plasma donor pools," said Stephen R. Petteway, Jr., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Talecris Biotherapeutics. "We approach product safety as a matrix process touching all stages of manufacturing including plasma procurement, our own in-house nucleic acid testing for key viruses, and our manufacturing processes that inactivate or remove pathogens from the final product. Furthermore, we maintain the highest possible marketplace scrutiny through our medical surveillance as products are used clinically."

Pathogen safety scientists at Talecris Biotherapeutics have been pioneers in developing processes that remove or inactivate viral and other infectious particles, including the pathogenic prion associated with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Over the past several years, Talecris (formerly a unit of Bayer HealthCare's Biological Products Division) has led the way with research demonstrating removal or inactivation of viruses, such as West Nile virus, vaccinia (the virus used in smallpox vaccinations), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from plasma-derived therapies. Additionally, the industry-leading work in the area of pathogenic prions has resulted in the FDA allowing clearance data to be included in product package inserts.

As with all plasma-derived therapeutics, the potential to transmit infectious agents cannot be totally eliminated.

About Talecris Biotherapeutics

Talecris is a newly formed company with the assets and history of Bayer HealthCare Biological Products Division's plasma business. With global headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C., primary manufacturing facilities for Talecris products in Clayton, N.C., and additional fractionation and manufacturing facilities of Precision Pharma Services in Melville, N.Y., Talecris employs nearly 1700 people.

Inheriting a legacy of more than 60 years of providing lifesaving and life-enhancing plasma-derived therapeutic proteins, Talecris is well positioned to become recognized as the global leader in developing and delivering premium protein products. Through its people, technology, and state-of-the-art facilities, Talecris will build on this long history of innovation through a focused, entrepreneurial approach to new product development, application of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, and marketing and customer service. Talecris is talented industry professionals providing critical care treatments and services for patients, while maintaining a vision for the future of care.