Nice rise on this news.
Wednesday July 12, 8:55 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aquila's QS-21 Adjuvant Maintains Immune
Response of HIV Vaccine at Low Antigen
Doses
Study, presented at International AIDS conference, highlights potential for lowering
gp120 vaccine manufacturing costs, developing multivalent vaccines
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from the University of Rochester reported
today on a human study demonstrating that Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AQLA - news)
proprietary vaccine adjuvant, QS-21, and substantially reduced amounts of the HIV gp120 antigen, produced
high levels of antibodies in clinical trials. The study, presented at the XIII International AIDS Conference in
Durban, South Africa, suggests that QS-21 may enable the development of HIV vaccines with significantly
lower manufacturing costs as well as a single vaccine effective against multiple HIV strains.
VaxGen (Nasdaq: VXGN - news) supplied the HIV-1 gp120 antigen used in the study. VaxGen's HIV vaccine,
AIDSVAX, which is currently being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials, contains gp120 and uses alum as the
adjuvant. VaxGen has royalty-bearing licenses from Aquila for both gp120 and QS-21.
``The study indicates that the use of QS-21 significantly reduces the amount of antigen required for
immunogenicity, a finding that has important implications for reduction of HIV vaccine cost and for the
development of a truly global vaccine against multiple HIV strains,'' said Dr. Alison Taunton- Rigby. ``The
trial is one of several studies that highlight the potential of QS-21 to allow the development of safe and
effective vaccines for a number of infectious diseases and cancers.''
The study was carried out in 60 HIV negative volunteers. The trial evaluated vaccines containing either 0.5
or 3 ug of a monovalent gp120 formulation or 6 ug of a bivalent gp120 formulation, along with QS-21 or a
placebo. The vaccines were administered at the start of the trial and at three and six months following the
first injection. The immunogenicity of these low antigen dose vaccines was shown to be similar to those
achieved historically with 100 ug or more of gp120 in aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Notably, the two highest
individual titers, observed after the completion of the immunization series, were from individuals in the
lowest antigen dose group (0.5 ug).
The principal investigator for the study was Thomas Evans, M.D., University of Rochester. Other authors
included: M.J. McElrath; G. Gorse, M. Mulligan; B. Graham, D. Schwartz, D. Montefiori, D. Francis, and J.
Flores.
Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a life sciences company developing and commercializing a range of
proprietary products that enhance the immune response in animals and humans. The Company's products
are intended for use in treating, controlling and preventing infectious diseases, cancers and autoimmune
disorders.
Aquila's products include: Leucogen® for protection against feline leukemia virus (approved for U.S. and
European use in 1991); Quilimmune-P(TM), a human healthcare product for prevention of pneumococcal
infections in the elderly; and Quilimmune-M(TM), a human healthcare product for preventing malaria; and
preclinical CD1 programs on tuberculosis, Chlamydia infections and cancer. The Company also licenses its
immune enhancement technologies, and current partners include SmithKline Beecham, Aventis Pasteur,
Wyeth Lederle, VaxGen, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Progenics Pharmaceuticals), Elan Corporation p.l.c. and
Virbac s.a.
Statements in this release, which relate to expectations and objectives of management for future operations
of Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., or which otherwise relate to future performance, are forward looking
statements. Actual results may differ from those projected as a result of product demand, pricing, market
acceptance, economic conditions, intellectual property issues, competitive products, risks in product and
technology development, and other risks identified in the Company's Security and Exchange filings. |
