euro adhoc: Intercell AG
Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration /
Collaboration with PATH for the development of Intercells Streptococcus
pneumoniae vaccine
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
06.09.2006
» Support from PATH for the development of Intercell's Streptococcus pneumoniae candidate vaccine - USD 7.3 m initial funding through preclinical stage, leading to a vaccine candidate ready to enter clinical trials » Pneumococcus causes pneumonia and sepsis - it is a major life-threatening pathogen that is a particular risk for children and the elderly. » Intercell and PATH will develop the vaccine protecting against the majority of pneumococcal strains and make it available at an affordable cost for children in certain developing world countries. Intercell will retain all rights in developed countries.
Intercell and PATH, a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to finding solutions for global health issues today announced an agreement to advance the development of Intercell's Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine. Intercell will receive a total of USD 7.3 m during the first stage of the collaboration, with the potential for substantial additional funding during later development phases. Intercell and PATH are committed to work together towards the successful development of the vaccine in clinical trials leading to registration and market approval.
PATH will provide funding to support Intercell's ongoing
Streptococcus pneumoniae ("Pneumococcus") protein-based vaccine
development program, facilitating the completion of preclinical work.
This program is derived from Intercell's proprietary antigen
discovery technology, AIP®, and targets a major worldwide cause of
pneumonia, bacterial sepsis and meningitis.Under the terms of the collaboration, Intercell will develop the vaccine and make it available at an affordable cost for children in developing World countries at greatest need, where Pneumococcus is a major cause of infant and childhood mortality. Worldwide, more than 1 million people die each year from pneumococcal infections; children under 5 years of age account for the majority of these deaths. Intercell retains all rights in developed countries for the childhood formulation of the pneumococcal vaccine and also retains as a key aim the rights for an adult formulation of the same product, designed to prevent pneumococcal infection in the elderly. Current vaccines on the market cover only a limited number of pneumococcal strains, especially outside the US, and also are not affordable to countries in the developing World.
"We are delighted that PATH, after an extensive review of the field, has selected our vaccine as one of the most promising novel approaches to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. The experience and commitment of PATH will be an extremely valuable asset to Intercell and we look forward to working with the group as we advance the project towards the clinic", states Gerd Zettlmeissl, CEO of Intercell AG.
"Intercells innovative protein-based vaccine is a promising candidate for protecting children in the developing world," notes John Boslego, director of pneumococcal vaccine development at PATH. "We at PATH are particularly interested in developing a vaccine containing proteins which are common to all pneumococcus serotypes because such a common protein vaccine could provide broad protection to children worldwide."
end of announcement euro adhoc 06.09.2006 07:01:21
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