COPENHAGEN, DENMARK -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/10/08 -- In studies with Bavarian Nordic's newand innovative third-generation smallpox vaccine, IMVAMUNE®, scientistsfrom Bavarian Nordic have for the first time demonstrated a therapeuticeffect of a smallpox vaccine, days after infection. With the currentavailable first- and second-generation smallpox vaccines no evidence of atherapeutic effect has ever been shown in animal models. This discovery wasrecently published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation.The scientific paper "Survival of lethal poxvirus infection in mice dependson TLR9 and therapeutic vaccination provides protection" shows that asingle vaccination of IMVAMUNE® could protect a variety of immunesuppressed animals on the same day as a lethal challenge with Ectromeliavirus; a natural poxvirus infection of mice that closely models smallpoxinfection in humans. Some of these mice were so immune suppressed thatvaccination with a traditional smallpox vaccine (e.g. Dryvax®) led to thedeath of the animals prior to any challenge with Ectromelia. Not only wasIMVAMUNE® therefore shown to be safer than traditional smallpox vaccines,but a single vaccination with IMVAMUNE® given up to 3 days post thelethal challenge with Ectromelia protected the mice. This is the firsttherapeutic or post-exposure protection, demonstrated for a smallpoxvaccine in a relevant animal model.
These data follow Bavarian Nordic's previous observations that IMVAMUNE®induced a faster protective immune response compared to traditionalsmallpox vaccines. Moreover, IMVAMUNE® is currently in phase two clinicalstudies and so far more than 1,600 subjects have been vaccinated.IMVAMUNE® has been shown to be well tolerated even in subjects notconsidered candidates to receive the current first- and second-generationvaccines (e.g. HIV and Atopic Dermatitis patients).
Anders Hedegaard, President & CEO of Bavarian Nordic: "This is a milestonein the development of our new and safer smallpox vaccine IMVAMUNE®, andit opens up for new and exciting smallpox preparedness possibilities. WithIMVAMUNE® we can offer a safer vaccine and a solid protection both beforeand after exposure. No other smallpox vaccine has shown to offer theseimportant features."
About Bavarian Nordic:
Bavarian Nordic (COPN: BAVA) is a leading international biopharmaceuticalcompany developing and producing innovative vaccines to prevent and treatinfectious diseases and cancer. With operations in Denmark, Germany, theUSA, and Singapore, Bavarian Nordic employs over 260 people.
Bavarian Nordic's patented technology, MVA-BN®, is as been demonstratedin clinicial studies, one of the world's safest, multivalent vaccinevectors for the development of vaccines against various infectious diseasessuch as smallpox, HIV/AIDS, as well as against breast and prostate cancer.
For more information please visit www.bavarian-nordic.com
Contact:
Anders Hedegaard
President & CEO
+45 33 26 83 83
