euro adhoc: Intercell AG
Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration /
Intercells partner Merck&Co., Inc., starts Phase I clinical trial for
Staphylococcus aureus vaccine based on Intercells antigen
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
15.12.2005
Vienna (Austria), December 15, 2005 - Intercell AG (VSE, "ICLL") today announced the start of a Phase I clinical trial by Merck&Co., Inc., for a vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus infections based on an antigen discovered by Intercells proprietary bacterial Antigen Identification Program. Staphylococcus aureus, the previously undisclosed target for this vaccine collaboration, is one of the major causes of hospital-acquired, often life-threatening infections. Multi-drug resistant strains make it difficult, sometimes impossible, to control the pathogen with antibiotics.
Under the 2004 agreement, Intercell applied its Antigen Identification Program (AIP®) to identify antigens directed towards Staphylococcus aureus. With the start of the Phase I clinical trial, Intercell receives another milestone payment of USD 1 million and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments based on project progress as well as royalties based on future net sales. Merck is responsible for the development of a potential vaccine and owns the worldwide exclusive rights to this product candidate.
"We are pleased with the progress we have made in our joint efforts to develop a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine," stated Gerd Zettlmeissl, CEO of Intercell. "This demonstrates once again the ability and potential of Intercells technology in the development of novel vaccines."
About Staphylococcus aureus infections
Hospital-associated infections are one of the major causes of death and serious illness worldwide, resulting in an annual burden of more than US$20bn in the developed world. In the United States alone, about two million patients annually contract an infection while receiving health care in hospitals. The incidence of nosocomial infections is steadily increasing due to medical interventions and most notably due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria circulating in hospitals. S. aureus is the most frequent cause of hospital-acquired infections. In addition to bloodstream infections with a mortality rate of up to 35%, infections of bone, heart and other inner organs are leading to serious health complications, death and economic burden. Today, approximately 50% of S. aureus strains isolated in hospitals worldwide are resistant to multiple antibiotics, rendering staphylococcal disease management increasingly difficult and challenging.
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Intercell AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Intercell AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Intercell AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
end of announcement euro adhoc 15.12.2005 17:15:00
Further inquiry note:
Intercell AG
Mag. Katharina Wieser
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel. +43 1 20620-303
kwieser@intercell.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: AT0000612601
WKN: A0D8HW
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market