euro adhoc: Intercell AG
Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration
Intercell
AG and CSL Ltd. sign Exclusive Agreement for Marketing and Distribution of
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
30.08.2005
Vienna, Austria, August 30, 2005 - Intercell AG announced today the signature of an exclusive agreement with CSL Ltd. for the Marketing and Distribution of Intercell´s novel cell culture based Japanese encephalitis vaccine in Australia. It is Intercells first commercialization agreement for the future delivery of its lead vaccine product which is planned to enter Phase III clinical trials in September 2005.
In order to optimally market the vaccine in Australia where the disease is endemic, Intercell has been seeking for a strong local strategic partner. Under the terms of this agreement CSL Ltd. receives the sole and exclusive marketing and distribution rights of Intercell´s novel prophylactic vaccine against Japanese encephalitis in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands.
Intercell is planning to market the product independently from this agreement with CSL Ltd. in the United States and Europe targeting the travelers and armed forces market to replace current suboptimal vaccines produced on mouse brain.
The production of the vaccine will be performed at Intercell´s state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facility in Livingston, Scotland.
"This agreement with the leading vaccine company in Australia is another important step forward in our global marketing and commercialization strategy for this modern cell culture based Japanese Encephalitis vaccine", states Gerd Zettlmeissl, COO Intercell AG. "It proves our vaccine to be highly attractive for marketing and distribution and further substantiates our business strategy to generate significant future revenues through product sales."
About Intercells JE vaccine Intercell´s novel Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is a purified, inactivated vaccine for active immunization of adults against the Japanese Encephalitis virus and has successfully concluded Phase II clinical trials. In a Phase II head-to-head comparison with JE-VAX®, Intercells vaccine was shown to be: » Less reactogenic - both in frequency and intensity » More potent - higher antibody levels at all doses studied one month after the immunizations; this vaccine also showed high seroconversion rates one month after a single dose » More convenient - 2 doses versus 3 doses and liquid versus freeze-dried format » More persistent - higher persistence of antibodies two years after primary immunization
More detailed Phase II results were presented at the 53rd annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Nov 7th - Nov 11th 2004 in Miami.
About CSL CSL Limited is a global, specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets products to treat and prevent serious human medical conditions; Headquartered in Melbourne Australia, the CSL Group includes CSL Bioplasma, CSL Pharmaceutical and ZLB Behring incorporating ZLB Plasma Services; CSL has over 7,000 employees working in 25 countries, with major facilities in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, US and Japan; CSL's Pharmaceutical Division develops, manufactures and markets vaccines for human use. The Division markets a comprehensive range of Childrens vaccines, Travel Vaccines, Respiratory Vaccines Adult Vaccines and Antivenoms; and, the Division also markets Antibiotics, Dermatological Products, Emergency Products, Neurological Products, Analgesic Products, and Urological Products supplied by other manufacturers. For more information please visit www.csl.com.au
About Intercell Intercell AG is a fast growing biotechnology company with a clear strategy and focus on the design and development of novel vaccines for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases with substantial unaddressed medical need. The Companys unique position is based on the combination of antigens and immunizers (adjuvants) derived from its proprietary technology platforms and its in-house GMP manufacturing facilities. Intercells technology has been endorsed by collaborative agreements with a number of global pharmaceutical companies, including sanofi pasteur, Merck&Co., Inc., SciGen Ltd. and the Statens Serum Institut. The Company has a broad development pipeline with a vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis about to enter Phase III, a vaccine for Hepatitis C undergoing Phase II trials, and five products focused on infectious diseases in the pre-clinical phase. Intercell is listed on the Vienna stock exchange under the symbol "ICLL". For more information please visit: www.intercell.com
end of announcement euro adhoc 30.08.2005 07:53:19
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:
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market