Intercell´s results on a novel pneumococcal protein-based vaccine published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine

» Intercell (ICLL) published pre-clinical data on its pneumococcal

vaccine program in the renowned Journal of Experimental Medicine

» The article reveals the Pneumococcal ANTIGENome determined by

Intercell´s proprietary AIP® technology

» The authors describe the selection process to retrieve highly

conserved,novel pneumococcal protein antigens that are part of

a new vaccine soon to enter clinical testing

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research

Wien (euro adhoc) - Vienna (Austria), January 8, 2008 - Intercell
(VSE: ICLL) is pleased to announce the publication of a scientific
article about its research regarding pneumococcal vaccines by the
internationally-renowned "Journal of Experimental Medicine". The
"Journal of Experimental Medicine" (www.jem.org) is one of the most
selective and renowned biomedical journals publishing important new
advances in research areas that include immunology and infectious
diseases among others. The authors describe the selection process,
which involved in-vitro assays and animal protection studies, to
retrieve highly conserved novel pneumococcal protein antigens that
are part of a new vaccine soon to enter clinical testing.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus) is a wide-spread human
pathogen which is responsible for more than 1.5 million deaths
worldwide, killing more people in the US and Europe than any other
vaccine preventable disease. Besides life-threatening invasive
infections (meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia), it also causes
millions of cases of otitis media in children.

In the article published by Giefing et al in the Journal of
Experimental Medicine (January 2, 2008), the corresponding author
Eszter Nagy, Vice President of Pre-clinical Research & Development at
Intercell, and Intercell´s research team report the identification of
novel vaccine candidate Pneumococcus antigens. The two lead
candidates forming the basis of Intercell´s subunit pneumococcal
vaccine were found to be exceptionally conserved among clinical
isolates (>99.5% identity), cross-protective against different
serotypes in lethal sepsis and pneumonia models, immunogenic in both
elderly and young children, and that they play important
non-redundant roles in bacterial multiplication. In this article, the
authors report for the first time opsonophagocytic killing activity
for antibodies induced by proteinaceous pneumococcal antigens that is
a promising in-vitro assay for potential surrogate markers.

Due to high medical need, great efforts are being made to develop
effective vaccines for the prevention of pneumococcal diseases in
both industrialized and developing countries. Although capsular
polysaccharides are proven to be highly effective vaccine antigens,
none of the current capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines can
address the needs of both the elderly and children in all parts of
the world, as the existence of more than 90 different serotypes
hinders the development of full coverage vaccines. Hence, there is an
urgent need for the development of novel vaccines containing
protective antigens that are present in all serotypes and can be
easily produced at lower cost. "This publication demonstrates the
broad applicability and success of our Antigen Identification Program
(AIP®) as well as the appreciation of the vaccine research community.
Based on the data presented in this article, we are developing an
innovative, novel vaccine that will address the needs of a
much-awaited, affordable and broad-coverage pediatric vaccine in
developing countries. The development of this vaccine is supported by
PATH and therefore also the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Furthermore, we are also working on an improved vaccine for the
elderly", stated Alexander von Gabain, Chief Scientific Officer of
Intercell AG.

Intercell´s AIP® technology has already resulted in a novel sub-unit
vaccine candidate against Staphylococcus aureus, currently in
Phase-II testing by partner Merck & Co., Inc, USA. According to
Intercell´s plans, the pneumococcal vaccine described in the recent
article will also enter Phase I clinical testing in 2008.

About Intercell´s AIP® Technology

ICLL´s Antigen Identification Program (AIP®) identifies novel
antigens from a variety of pathogens. Intercell´s team focuses on
those antigens that are believed to induce the strongest response
from the human immune system, thus providing a viable basis for the
potential development of novel and more powerful vaccines and
antibody treatments. Through AIP®, a large number of novel antigens
related to a wide variety of infectious diseases have been
successfully identified. In addition, certain product candidates are
currently partnered with sanofi pasteur and Merck & Co., Inc., while
others based on development projects are planned to be developed
in-house or partnered with third parties.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Intercell AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Intercell AG

Lucia Malfent

Head of Corporate Communications

Campus Vienna Biocenter 2, A-1030 Vienna

P: +43-1-20620-303

Mail to: LMalfent@intercell.com

Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: AT0000612601
WKN: A0D8HW
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market