Further details on the Cancer Vaccine. In March 1998, Vaxcel, executed a definitive license
agreement with UCL for acquiring worldwide, exclusive rights to genetically
engineered and mutated (beta)-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ((beta)hCG) proteins
for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer. Vaxcel believes these
genetically engineered and mutated (beta)hCG proteins should be excellent
immunogens for the development of a therapeutic vaccine for a wide variety of
cancers.
Except for pregnant women, healthy individuals do not normally produce
(beta)hCG. However, significant quantities of (beta)hCG are produced by many
different types of cancers including pancreatic, colorectal, breast, lung,
prostate, and others. The highest concentrations of (beta)hCG are secreted by
cancers which have metastasized. Research has indicated that cancer cells may
use (beta)hCG as one of the mechanisms to resist being attacked and killed by
the human immune system.
By combining these genetically engineered and mutated (beta)hCG
proteins from UCL with the Company's Optivax adjuvant, Vaxcel believes that
both the antigen and adjuvant components of this cancer vaccine should be
superior to a first generation (beta)hCG vaccine being developed with some
encouraging results by a third party. The genetically engineered and mutated
(beta)hCG proteins should be more immunogenic than the first generation vaccine
and the inclusion of the Optivax adjuvant in the vaccine formulation should
help augment anti-tumor cellular immune responses.
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