FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13s - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of September, 2006
Acambis plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Peterhouse Technology Park
100 Fulbourn Road
Cambridge CB1 9PT
England
(address of principal executive offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Forms 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
Yes No X
(if "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ).
Enclosure:
Research Update
Acambis announces encouraging data from Phase 2 trial of West Nile virus vaccine
Cambridge, UK and Cambridge, Massachusetts - 12 September 2006 - Acambis plc
(Acambis) (LSE: ACM, NASDAQ: ACAM) announces preliminary results from the first
component of a Phase 2 clinical trial of its investigational vaccine against
West Nile virus, ChimeriVaxTM-West Nile.
In the first part of this Phase 2 trial, Acambis evaluated the safety,
tolerability and immunogenicity of a single dose of ChimeriVax-West Nile in
healthy adults aged 18 to 40. In total, 112 healthy adults were enrolled into
this part of the randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, which tested
three different dose levels of ChimeriVax-West Nile.
The primary immunogenicity endpoint in the trial was seroconversion rate, i.e.,
the percentage of subjects who generated neutralising antibodies at a titre of
at least 1:10. Over 97% of all subjects who received ChimeriVax-West Nile
seroconverted 28 days after a single vaccination. Most of the adverse events
were mild in nature.
Acambis' Chief Executive Officer Gordon Cameron welcomed the results of the
study, saying:
"We are very encouraged by these results, especially the high immune response
generated in subjects by just a single dose of ChimeriVax-West Nile. In addition
to supporting our Phase 1 data, these findings will enable us to advance our
Phase 2 trial into older adults, including those within the 50-plus age group
who are considered by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be
most at risk from severe disease resulting from West Nile virus infection."
The second stage of the trial will involve healthy adults aged 41 and over and
will assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of ChimeriVax-West Nile
compared to placebo. Recruitment for this stage of the trial is scheduled to
start in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Acambis' ChimeriVax-West Nile is still the lead candidate for a human vaccine
against West Nile virus, which continues to be a high-profile problem in the US.
Since the virus emerged in the US in 1999, it has caused almost 21,000 cases of
West Nile disease and 821 deaths.
-ends-
Enquiries:
Acambis:
Gordon Cameron, Chief Executive Officer
David Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer
Lyndsay Wright, VP, Communications and Investor Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 275 300
Financial Dynamics:
David Yates/Anna Keeble
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113
Notes to editors:
West Nile virus
While the majority of West Nile infections are mild and do not result in any
symptoms, it is estimated that 20% of those infected develop mild symptoms such
as fever, headache, body aches and swollen glands. West Nile encephalitis, the
more severe form of the infection, is estimated to occur in one out of every 150
of those infected. Symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, stupor,
convulsions, coma and sometimes paralysis. Death can occur in the most severe
cases when the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier, leading to encephalitis or
inflammation of the brain.
ChimeriVax-West Nile
Acambis is developing the ChimeriVax-JE vaccine using its proprietary ChimeriVax
technology, which was originally developed in collaboration with St. Louis
University. Development of Acambis' investigational vaccine, ChimeriVax-West
Nile, was supported by a $3m grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
(NIH). Acambis is developing the ChimeriVax-West Nile vaccine using its
proprietary ChimeriVax technology, which is also the basis for Acambis' vaccine
candidates against Japanese encephalitis (Phase 3 trials ongoing) and dengue
(completed Phase 1 trial). The level of immune response required for protection
against West Nile virus is yet to be determined.
About Acambis
Acambis is a leading developer of vaccines to prevent and treat infectious
diseases. Recognised internationally as the leading producer of smallpox
vaccines, Acambis is developing an investigational smallpox vaccine and is
manufacturing emergency-use stockpiles of this investigational vaccine for the
US Government and other governments around the world. Acambis is establishing a
travel vaccines franchise through its US-based subsidiary Berna Products
Corporation, which markets Vivotif(R), the world's only licensed oral typhoid
vaccine, in North America. Acambis has other potential travel vaccines in
development and is also developing an investigational vaccine against the West
Nile virus, which has spread to 48 US States since 1999.
Acambis is based in Cambridge, UK and Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. Its primary
listing is on the London Stock Exchange (ACM) and its shares are listed in the
form of American Depositary Receipts on NASDAQ (ACAM). More information is
available at www.acambis.com.
"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995:
The statements in this news release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the
timing and results of clinical trials, product development, manufacturing and
commercialisation risks, the risks of satisfying the regulatory approval process
in a timely manner, the need for and the availability of additional capital. For
a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties see "Risk management" in
the Company's 2005 Annual Report and its Form 20-F, in addition to those
detailed on the Company's website and in the Company's filings made with the
Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These forward-looking
statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the management of
Acambis and are believed to be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and
difficult to predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from
the forward-looking statements.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant Peptide Therapeutics Group has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: 12 September, 2006 ACAMBIS PLC
By: /s/ Lyndsay Wright
Name: Lyndsay Wright
Title: VP, Communications and IR.