ProMetic announces scale-up of prion removal resin in plasma product for biopharmace...(-up at our plant on Isle of Man and will...)

The PRDT prion removal technology is presently being used in the P-Capt (R) prion filter, CE marked in September 2006, and marketed by MacoPharma for the elimination of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies ("TSEs") such as vCJD in red blood cell concentrates.

"ProMetic is extremely excited about the progress of this product. This new use represents an extension of the PRDT prion capture technology platform into the plasma and plasma fractionation industry and we trust this will culminate in introduction of our first prion reduction product for the biopharmaceutical industry in 2008," commented Pierre Laurin, President and Chief Executive Officer of ProMetic.

Notes for Editors

About Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease ("vCJD") is characterized by the accumulation of large deposits in the brain and the nervous system of the misfolded prion protein. The resulting damage causes sponge-like holes to appear in the brain causing a fatal degenerative CNS disorder. Such abnormal prion proteins may be sufficient to transmit the disease. It is now thought that all the population is susceptible to vCJD, irrespective of genetic make-up. vCJD was initially transmitted to humans by the consumption of BSE contaminated meat, but a secondary route of transmission by the transfusion of blood units from asymptomatic vCJD individuals threatens to increase the prevalence of the fatal disease. Although the first incidence of vCJD appears to have peaked, scientists still remain concerned over the potential of a second longer incubation and bigger peak and caution vigilance. Recent scientific research estimates that there are 3,800 asymptomatic vCJD carriers in the UK at a minimum and the 2006 National CJD Surveillance Unit report stated that "the incidence of vCJD may increase agai
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