Study shows that Isconova´s Matrix-M is an excellent pandemic influenza vaccine candidate

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Uppsala, Sweden, November 23 2009 – At a time like this, when the global society is under a pandemic influenza threat, the need for a safe, effective and antigen dose-sparing adjuvant becomes critical. Isconova announced today that a group at the Influenza centre, the Gade Institute at University of Bergen shows much encouraging performance of a new vaccine adjuvant (Isconova´s Matrix M) in a pandemic (H5N1) influenza vaccine adjuvant study [1]. The Matrix-M adjuvant stimulates a strong immune response against influenza virus with a high quality antibody response that also neutralise related pandemic strains of influenza.

In addition to the data retrieved in mice, an ongoing Phase I study in Bergen shows similar encouraging performance in man. The preliminary unpublished results from the human clinical trial shows that the Matrix-M adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine induce high numbers of antibody producing cells and high frequency of multifunctional CD4+ Th1 cells, even at a low dose of antigen. The presence of multifunctional T cells has been described as indicative for protective T cell responses.

Lena Söderström, Chief Executive Officer of Isconova commented: “The dose-sparing characteristics of Isconova´s Matrix M, its safety profile and level of efficacy makes this state-of-the-art adjuvant an excellent candidate for modern vaccine formulations which can meet the challenges of future pandemic influenza threats. We are very excited about these results”.

About Isconova AB
Isconova AB develops, manufactures, out-licenses and sells state-of-the art adjuvants for the creation of highly effective antigen delivery systems for vaccine development, antibody production and immune response studies. In addition, the Company sells reagents for formulating custom made complexes for the end-user. The products are based on the proprietary Immune Stimulating Complex (ISCOM) technology platform and the market is global. Isconova was founded in 1999 as a spin-off from the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Uppsala to further develop the Immune Stimulating Complex (ISCOM) technology and make it commercially available and accessible.
For more information, visit Isconova’s website: www.isconova.se

Contact
Isconova AB, Uppsala, Sweden
Lena Söderström, CEO
Phone: +46 18 57 24 00
E-mail: lena.soderstrom@isconova.se

[1]. Madhun A. S., Haaheim L. R., Nilsen M.V., Cox R. J. (2009 dec.) Intramuscular Matrix-M-adjuvanted virosomal H5N1 vaccine induces high frequencies of multifunctional Th1 CD4(+) cells and strong antibody responses in mice, Vaccine , In Press