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

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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.

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: [email protected]

end of announcement euro adhoc
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emitter: Intercell AG
Campus Vienna Biocenter 6
A-1030 Wien
phone: +43 1 20620-0
FAX: +43 1 20620-800
mail: [email protected]
WWW: www.intercell.com
sector: Biotechnology
ISIN: AT0000612601
indexes:
stockmarkets: official market: Wiener Börse AG
language: English

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