EXHIBIT 99.1
AVANT Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2006 Financial Results
NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2007--AVANT
Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAN) today reported financial
results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006. AVANT
reported a net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.08 per share, for the
fourth quarter of 2006 compared to a net loss of $4.0 million, or
$0.05 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2005. For the twelve months
ended December 31, 2006, the net loss was $20.4 million, or $.27 per
share, compared with a net loss of $18.1 million, or $.24 per share,
for the twelve months of 2005. As discussed in more detail later in
this release, the increase in net loss between twelve-month periods
was due to increased operating expenses, offset partially by increased
revenues and increased investment and other income. At December 31,
2006, AVANT reported cash and cash equivalents of $40.9 million.
"AVANT ended the year well positioned to become a leader within
the vaccines industry, which has become the fastest growing segment of
the global pharmaceutical marketplace," said Una S. Ryan, Ph.D.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of AVANT. "During 2006, we
received strong external validation for our current vaccines
technology and products, as marked by a $40 million payment to AVANT
on the European approval of Rotarix(R), a $21 million grant from the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the IVI to support Phase 2 and 3
trials of CholeraGarde(R), and a $2.6 million commitment within the
fiscal 2007 U.S. Defense appropriations bill for the development of
our oral anthrax-plague vaccine."
Other key events of 2006 included:
-- The strengthening of AVANT's senior management team in January
2006 with the appointment of Ronald W. Ellis, Ph.D., a leading
vaccine development executive with over 23 years of vaccine
industry experience, as Senior Vice President, Research and
Development.
-- The start of a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial
of AVANT's single-dose, oral typhoid fever vaccine candidate,
Ty800 under the sponsorship of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH).
-- The signing of an extended collaborative research and
development partnership with Pfizer Inc aimed at applying
AVANT's vaccines technology to the development of prophylactic
and therapeutic vaccines to protect livestock and companion
animals.
"We are today seeing a renaissance in interest in vaccines,"
commented Dr. Ryan, "that is driven by scientific advancements in
vaccine development and manufacturing, new vaccine products for both
infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness, and increased support
from both governmental and private payers. Our achievements to date in
vaccine research, development and manufacture, as well as in
leveraging our resources through partnering, give AVANT a firm basis
to become an important player within this rapidly evolving field.
During 2007, we expect to further build upon our strong technology and
product base by extending our technological capabilities and
broadening our focus to larger markets for vaccines against widespread
viral illnesses like influenza and pandemic preparedness."
In February 2007, AVANT announced its first initiative towards
this goal: a two-year research and development (R&D) partnership with
Select Vaccines Limited (ASX: SLT) focused on the use of Select
Vaccines' virus-like particles (VLPs) and AVANT vaccine antigens as a
platform technology for the development of viral vaccines. The joint
R&D effort will initially target the development of both epidemic and
pandemic forms of influenza vaccine, with the opportunity to extend
the collaboration to other disease targets. If successful, products
identified through this collaboration will be developed by AVANT.
Further Financial Highlights
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2006 were $380,000 compared
with revenues of $634,000 for the fourth quarter of 2005. The lower
revenues were primarily due to a decrease in government contract and
grant revenue in 2006 compared to 2005 primarily because of decreased
levels of research work billable to DVC, partly offset by product
development revenues from Pfizer. For the year ended December 31,
2006, revenues were $4.9 million compared with revenues of $3.1
million for 2005. The increase was primarily due to an increase in
product development and licensing revenue of $2.6 million as the
result of a milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline (Glaxo). The
increase in product development and licensing revenue was partly
offset by a decrease in government contract and grant revenue in 2006
compared to 2005.
Operating expense in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006
was $7.4 million compared to operating expense of $4.9 million for the
comparable quarter in 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2006,
operating expense was $27.3 million compared with operating expense of
$22.0 million for 2005. The increase in operating expense between
periods is primarily due to increased R&D expenses as a result of
increased R&D personnel and related expenses, contract manufacturing
expense, non-personnel operating and facility-related costs associated
with full operations of the Fall River facility and increased general
and administrative (G&A) expenses. The increase in G&A expenses is
primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation, consulting and
professional services expense. Investment income increased in 2006,
reflecting higher average cash balances and higher average interest
rates between years.
Clinical Development Program Update
AVANT has a variety of programs in clinical development, many of
which are supported by major companies, governmental agencies or
international health organizations. Major programs include oral
vaccines against cholera, typhoid fever and other important diarrheal
diseases; oral vaccines for biodefense; vaccines against influenza
including pandemic forms of that disease.
Next-Generation Oral Vaccines: AVANT is developing "next
generation" vaccines for a variety of needs including biodefense,
global health, travelers' and food safety. Each of these vaccines is
designed to provide rapid protection with a single, oral dose.
Moreover this technology offers the capability to create "super"
vaccines that combine protection against multiple diseases in a single
product. These features should make AVANT's "next generation" vaccines
uniquely suited to address both large commercial markets and serious
world health needs.
CholeraGarde(R), a single-dose oral vaccine against cholera is the
most advanced of these products. Following a successful Phase 2 field
study in Bangladesh, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) plans
to begin Phase 2 field studies with CholeraGarde(R) in India and
Bangladesh during 2007 followed by Phase 3 field studies. The Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation has provided a $21 million grant to the IVI
in support of these studies, for which AVANT will manufacture the
vaccine. AVANT has decided to focus only on the fully-funded
opportunity for CholeraGarde(R) in the developing world. AVANT has
determined that the high clinical costs of our own Phase 3 clinical
trials in the United States and the investment in a commercial
manufacturing facility are not justified by the limited market
opportunities for a cholera vaccine in developed countries at this
time. This decision frees up both financial and manufacturing
resources for our Ty800 and ETEC programs, as well as our new
influenza vaccine program.
In addition, the NIH has funded the manufacture of AVANT's typhoid
fever vaccine, Ty800, for clinical testing and is completing a Phase
1/2 clinical trial aimed at demonstrating the safety and
immunogenicity of the Ty800 vaccine. AVANT plans to initiate its own
sponsored Phase 2 trial of Ty800 in mid-2007. AVANT is also developing
additional bacterial vaccines against enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC),
and Paratyphoid fever -- also important causes of serious diarrheal
disease worldwide. In the second half of 2007, AVANT expects to
initiate a Phase 1 trial of its ETEC vaccine candidate.
Manufacturing: AVANT has the capability to manufacture vaccines
for Phase 2 and 3 clinical testing to Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMP) standards through its own state-of-the-art manufacturing
facility for the production of live, attenuated bacterial vaccines.
AVANT is currently producing CholeraGarde(R), Ty800 and ETEC vaccines
for use in clinical trials.
Conference Call and Webcast
Dr. Ryan and Mr. Catlin will host a conference call and live audio
webcast at 11:00 am ET today, March 7th. To access the live call, dial
800-638-5495 (within the United States) or 617-614-3946 (outside the
United States). The passcode for participants is 13145888. A replay
will be available approximately two hours after the live call. To
access the replay, dial 888-286-8010 (within the United States) or
617-801-6888 (outside the United States). The passcode I.D. # is
54794332. The replay will also be broadcast via the company's website
www.avantimmune.com approximately two hours after the live call.
About AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops innovative
vaccines and therapeutics that harness the human immune system to
prevent and treat disease. AVANT has three products on the market and
five of AVANT's products are in clinical development. AVANT's pipeline
includes products for biodefense, travelers' vaccines, global health,
and pandemic flu needs based on AVANT's oral, rapid-protecting,
single-dose and temperature stable vaccine technology.
Additional information on AVANT can be obtained through our site
on the World Wide Web: http://www.avantimmune.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements
that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and reflect
AVANT's current views with respect to future events and financial
performance. There are a number of important factors that could cause
the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statement made by AVANT. These factors include, but
are not limited to: (1) the integration of multiple technologies and
programs; (2) the ability to adapt AVANT's vectoring systems to
develop new, safe and effective orally administered vaccines against
anthrax and plague or other any other microbes used as bioweapons and
other disease causing agents; (3) the ability to successfully complete
development and commercialization of TP10, CETi-1, CholeraGarde(R)
(Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine, VLPs and other products and
AVANT's expectations regarding market growth; (4) the cost, timing,
scope and results of ongoing safety and efficacy trials of TP10,
CETi-1, CholeraGarde(R) (Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine and
other preclinical and clinical testing; (5) the ability to
successfully complete product research and further development,
including animal, pre-clinical and clinical studies of TP10, CETi-1,
CholeraGarde(R) (Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine and other
products; (6) the ability of AVANT to manage multiple late stage
clinical trials for a variety of product candidates; (7) our
expectations regarding our technological capabilities and expanding
our focus to broader markets for vaccines; (8) our expectations
regarding the cost of funding our development partnership with Select
Vaccines Limited for the influenza vaccine, the opportunity to extend
to other disease targets, and AVANT's ability to develop products
through this collaboration; (9) changes in existing and potential
relationships with corporate collaborators; (10) the availability,
cost, delivery and quality of clinical and commercial grade materials
supplied by contract manufacturers and partners; (11) the timing, cost
and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; (12) the ability to
develop and commercialize products before competitors that are
superior to the alternatives developed by competitors; (13) the
ability to retain certain members of management;(14) AVANT's
expectations regarding research and development expenses and general
and administrative expenses; (15) AVANT's expectations regarding cash
balances, capital requirements, anticipated royalty payments
(including those from Glaxo), revenues and expenses, including
infrastructure expenses; (16) our belief regarding the validity of our
patents and potential litigation; and (17) certain other factors that
might cause AVANT's actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements include those set forth under the
headings "Business," "Risk Factors" and Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in each of
AVANT's Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 8-K,
as well as those described in AVANT's other press releases and filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time. You
should carefully review all of these factors, and you should be aware
that there may be other factors that could cause these differences.
These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans and
estimates at the date of this press release, and we do not promise to
update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying
assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other
changes.
AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS Quarter Ended Year Ended
DATA December 31, December 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
REVENUE
Product
Development
and Licensing
Agreements $ 182,371 $ 32,883 $ 2,855,266 $ 242,092
Government
Contracts and
Grants 167,285 562,971 1,408,434 2,719,651
Product
Royalties 30,476 38,452 667,397 126,598
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Total Revenue 380,132 634,306 4,931,097 3,088,341
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OPERATING
EXPENSE
Research and
Development 4,837,466 3,010,351 18,066,392 14,063,295
General and
Administrative 2,312,347 1,652,766 8,236,852 6,894,951
Amortization of
Acquired
Intangible
Assets 248,778 248,778 995,112 995,112
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Total Operating
Expense 7,398,591 4,911,895 27,298,356 21,953,358
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Loss (7,018,459) (4,277,589) (22,367,259) (18,865,017)
Investment and
Other Income,
Net 554,384 297,892 2,113,327 768,448
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Loss before
Provision for
Income Taxes (6,464,075) (3,979,697) (20,253,932) (18,096,569)
Provision for
Income Taxes (252,000) - 120,000 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Loss $(6,212,075) $(3,979,697) $(20,373,932) $(18,096,569)
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Basic and
Diluted Net
Loss per
Common Share $ (0.08) $ (0.05) $ (0.27) $ (0.24)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average
Common Shares
Outstanding 74,182,548 74,162,810 74,178,094 74,143,454
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, December 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
2006 2005
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents $40,911,539 $23,419,434
Other Current Assets 1,491,955 1,185,462
Property and Equipment, net 13,967,800 5,743,663
Intangible and Other Assets, net 5,108,248 6,103,358
------------ ------------
Total Assets $61,479,542 $36,451,917
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities $ 9,879,821 $ 3,692,743
Long-Term Liabilities 49,438,741 11,870,051
Stockholders' Equity 2,160,980 20,889,123
------------ ------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $61,479,542 $36,451,917
============ ============
CONTACT: AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
Una S. Ryan, Ph.D., 781-433-0771
President and CEO
or
Avery W. Catlin, 781-433-0771
Chief Financial Officer
info@avantimmune.com
or
For Media:
Kureczka/Martin Associates
Joan Kureczka, 415-821-2413
jkureczka@comcast.net