euro adhoc: Intercell AG
Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration
Intercell
agrees on a marketing and distribution agreement for its Japanese Encephalitis
Vaccine
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
12.06.2006
» Intercell has agreed to enter into an agreement with Novartis for the marketing and distribution of its Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (IC51) in the United States, Europe and certain other markets in Asia and Latin America. Intercell intends to initially commercialize the vaccine on its own in the armed forces and military personnel market.
» Under this marketing and distribution agreement, Intercell will be entitled to milestone payments of up to EUR 37 million from Novartis, depending on final Phase III clinical trial data and US and EU regulatory approvals.
» Novartis has committed to an equity investment of up to EUR 30 million in shares of Intercell in a public offering that was announced by Intercell today.
Vienna (Austria), June 13, 2006 - Intercell AG (VSE, "ICLL") announced today that it has agreed the principle terms of a marketing and distribution agreement with Novartis for its Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in the market for travellers in the United States, Europe and certain other markets in Asia and Latin America where the product is not partnered yet. Intercell´s Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (IC51) is a modern cell culture based vaccine which is manufactured in Intercell´s manufacturing plant in Scotland. Intercell will retain all development and production rights and will continue to lead the global development and regulatory pathway. Intercell has recently announced positive results for IC51 in a pivotal Phase III clinical trial and expects US and EU approval in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
In connection with the marketing and distribution agreement for IC51, Intercell will receive milestone payments of up to EUR 37 million from Novartis, depending on final Phase III clinical trial data as well as US and EU regulatory approvals. Furthermore, Novartis will make an equity investment of up to EUR 30 million in Intercells shares, which will also give Novartis the first negotiation rights to certain existing product candidates derived from Intercells technology platform. Details of the offering in which Novartis will make the investment were disclosed by Intercell today in a separate ad-hoc announcement.
Intercell intends to initially distribute IC51 in the market for the armed forces and military personnel on its own with the US Army expected to be a key customer. For the marketing and distribution of the vaccine in Australia, where the disease is endemic, Intercell has partnered with CSL Ltd. For marketing and distribution in certain endemic countries in Asia, Intercell has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian company Biological E. Ltd.
"Our partnership with Novartis provides another leading industry player that validates our product candidates and technologies, following previous agreements with Merck & Co., sanofi pasteur and Kirin. We believe that the global market potential for a vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis will be expanded significantly with IC51, given its novel and safer product profile. Novartis is an ideal partner for the marketing and distribution of IC51 especially considering its high strategic commitment in the field of vaccines and its excellent travel vaccine portfolio," states Dr. Werner Lanthaler, Chief Finance Officer and Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales of Intercell.
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 13.06.2006 06:25:00
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