euro adhoc: Intercell AG
other
Intercell announces initiation of further
Phase II clinical trial of V710 an investigational vaccine to prevent S. aureus
infection
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
Company Information
28.08.2008
Vienna (Austria), August 28, 2008 - Intercell AG (VSE: ICLL) today announced that its collaborator Merck & Co., Inc. has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of V710, an investigational vaccine for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections. This randomized double blind, placebo controlled study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate in patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis. This trial start follows the initiation of a separate Phase II trial in December 2007.
Gerd Zettlmeissl, CEO of Intercell, commented "We are very pleased that our strategic partner Merck has chosen to initiate a further Phase II clinical trial. We look forward to continued progress of the program building on clinical data obtained so far."
The S. aureus vaccine candidate is based on a conserved protein antigen discovered by Intercell and licensed to Merck & Co., Inc. in 2004 on an exclusive world wide basis. Merck is responsible for clinical development, manufacturing and marketing. Intercell is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on future net sales. In Phase I clinical trials the S. aureus candidate vaccine was shown to be immunogenic and generally well tolerated.
Hospital-acquired Infections
Hospital-acquired infections caused by bacteria are one of the major causes of death and serious illness. Intercell has embarked on a large scale, comprehensive and multi-target antigen identification program to contribute to vaccine efforts in this field. Besides Merck's S. aureus vaccine, based on an antigen identified by Intercell, Intercell is developing a vaccine against hospital-acquired infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Phase II/III trial is expected to be initiated in 2008) and a Pneumococcus vaccine (Phase I trials planned for end 2008). Furthermore Intercell has ongoing pre-clinical programs for Enterococcus and Klebsiella vaccine discovery.
About S. aureus
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. Hospital-acquired infections are one of the major causes of death and serious illness worldwide, resulting in an annual burden of more than USD 20 billion in the developed world. In the United States alone, about two million patients become infected annually while receiving health care in hospitals.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Intercell AG
Lucia Malfent
Head of Communications
Tel. +43 1 20620-303
lmalfent@intercell.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: AT0000612601
WKN: A0D8HW
Index: ATX Prime, ATX
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market