Exhibit 99.1
Antigenics Reports Positive Data on QS-21
Stimulon(R) Adjuvant in Acambis' Influenza A Vaccine
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2008--Antigenics Inc. (NASDAQ:
AGEN) today announced that Acambis (LSE: ACM) has released results
from a Phase 1 study of its ACAM-FLU-A(TM) vaccine, which contains
Antigenics' QS-21 Stimulon(R) adjuvant. Based on these results,
Acambis exercised its option for a commercial license to QS-21. Under
the terms of the agreement, Antigenics is entitled to receive future
milestone payments and product royalties in the event of successful
development and commercialization of ACAM-FLU-A. QS-21 is an
investigational adjuvant, which is a substance added to vaccines and
other immunotherapies that is designed to enhance the body's immune
response to the antigen contained within the treatment.
Influenza is a major global threat. According to the World Health
Organization, between 250,000 to 500,000 related deaths occur
annually. Currently, seasonal influenza vaccines are reformulated each
year to address viral mutations. ACAM-FLU-A targets M2e, a conserved
region of influenza A strains, which could potentially overcome the
need for annual reformulations. Since all identified pandemic
influenza strains are type A, ACAM-FLU-A could potentially be used to
protect against pandemics of influenza as well.
Study Findings
The Phase 1 trial of ACAM-FLU-A evaluated the vaccine's safety and
ability to generate an immune response among vaccinated subjects. The
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at
multiple centers in the United States and involved 79 subjects. The
study consisted of four arms: ACAM-FLU-A alone, ACAM-FLU-A plus
aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, ACAM-FLU-A plus QS-21 adjuvant, and
placebo. Subjects in the trial received two doses of the treatment to
which they had been randomized.
Overall, the trial results demonstrated that ACAM-FLU-A was well
tolerated and capable of stimulating an immune response. Although
immune responses were observed in all groups that received vaccine,
the highest immune response was observed in the group vaccinated with
ACAM-FLU-A plus QS-21 adjuvant. In this group, 90 percent of subjects
generated virus-specific antibodies following immunization.
"These findings continue to demonstrate the criticality of QS-21
as an adjuvant in a number of high-tech vaccine candidates," said Garo
H. Armen, PhD, chairman and CEO of Antigenics. "QS-21 is a profitable
product for Antigenics and our licensees' advancements continue to
underscore the substantial contribution to Antigenics' future royalty
income that could be generated from our adjuvant franchise."
About QS-21 Stimulon Adjuvant
Antigenics' QS-21 Stimulon adjuvant is one of the most widely
tested vaccine adjuvants under development. QS-21 has not only become
a critical component in the development of preventative vaccine
formulations across a wide variety of infectious diseases, but may
also be essential in enabling a new generation of therapeutic vaccines
to treat cancer and degenerative disorders. QS-21 is currently being
evaluated in more than 20 vaccine indications, several in late-stage
clinical trials by Antigenics' licensees, including GlaxoSmithKline,
Elan, Acambis and Progenics.
About Antigenics
Antigenics (NASDAQ: AGEN) is a biotechnology company working to
develop treatments for cancers and infectious diseases. The company's
investigational product portfolio includes Oncophage(R) (vitespen), a
patient-specific therapeutic cancer vaccine being evaluated in several
indications; Aroplatin(TM) (L-NDDP), a liposomal, third-generation
platinum chemotherapeutic; AG-707, a therapeutic vaccine for the
treatment of genital herpes; and QS-21, an adjuvant being evaluated by
Antigenics' corporate partners in more than 20 indications, several in
late-stage clinical trials. For more information, please visit
antigenics.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements about potential future payments from Acambis to Antigenics,
the potential for use of ACAM-FLU-A without annual reformulation or as
a pandemic flu vaccine, and the commercial potential of QS-21. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and
uncertainties include, among others, Antigenics' dependence on its
collaborative partners such as ACM to successfully develop and
commercialize products containing QS-21, which may not occur due to
failure of future, larger clinical trials to replicate results from
early-stage trials, negative decisions by regulatory authorities, or
decisions by collaborative partners not to devote adequate resources
to product candidates containing QS-21; the scientific risk associated
with the development of vaccines; the competitive risk that other
sources of competitive adjuvants could become available; difficulties
or delays in manufacturing QS-21, future trials may not demonstrate
that ACAM-FLU-A is safe and effective; and the risk factors described
in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations section of Antigenics' Form 10-Q as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2007.
Antigenics cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These
statements speak only as of the date of this document, and Antigenics
undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements. All
forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary statement. Antigenics' business is subject to
substantial risks and uncertainties, including those identified above.
When evaluating Antigenics' business and securities, investors should
give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.
CONTACT: Antigenics Inc.
Media Relations:
Sunny Uberoi, 212-994-8206
suberoi@antigenics.com
or
Investor Relations:
Robert Anstey, 800-962-2436
ir@antigenics.com