KVISTGAARD, Denmark, Oct. 13, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bavarian Nordic A/S (Copenhagen:BAVA) announced today that the company has received funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance its early research in filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg virus).
As previously announced, the company is investigating the potential use of its core vaccine technology, MVA-BN(R) as a combined vaccine encoding genes for both the Ebola and Marburg strains. The funding from NIH will support an animal efficacy study performed in non-human primates.
Upon evaluation of the initial data from this study, which are expected next year, Bavarian Nordic will determine the future of this project in the company's pipeline.
Bavarian Nordic's President & CEO, Anders Hedegaard commented: "This research grant is yet another sign of the continued strong relationship between Bavarian Nordic and the US government. We have already successfully advanced the development our IMVAMUNE(R) smallpox vaccine under a fully-funded programme from the U.S. government and with continued support and funding from the US authorities, we are committed to developing innovative vaccines against other potential biological weapons like anthrax, Ebola and Marburg as well. Also, with this initiative we fulfil part of our short term goal to investigate new opportunities to expand the pipeline within our Infectious Disease Division."
About Bavarian Nordic
Bavarian Nordic is a leading industrial biotechnology company developing and producing novel vaccines for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening diseases with a large unmet medical need. The company's clinical pipeline targets cancer and infectious diseases, and includes seven development programmes. Two programmes under preparation for Phase III: PROSTVAC(TM), a therapeutic vaccine for advanced prostate cancer is being developed under a collaboration agreement with the National Cancer Institute, and IMVAMUNE(R), a third-generation smallpox vaccine is being developed under a contract with the US government.
Bavarian Nordic is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen under the symbol BAVA.
For more information please visit www.bavarian-nordic.com
Forward-looking statements
This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risks,uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law.
CONTACT: Bavarian Nordic Anders Hedegaard, President & CEO +45 23 20 30 64