V.I. Technologies

V.I. Technologies, also known as Vitex, was a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing technologies to enhance the safety of the world's blood supply. The company's primary platform, INACTINE, was designed to inactivate a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, in red blood cells and other blood components. Vitex's lead product candidate, PEN110, utilized a small molecule approach to target and neutralize pathogen nucleic acids, reaching Phase 3 clinical trials. In 2005, V.I. Technologies merged with Panacos Pharmaceuticals, shifting the combined entity's focus toward anti-viral drug discovery, particularly for HIV. Before the merger, Vitex was a prominent player in the pathogen reduction space, collaborating with organizations like the American Red Cross and Pall Corporation.