ANNAPOLIS, Md., July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PharmAthene, Inc.
(Amex: PIP) a biodefense company specializing in the development and
commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and
biological threats, announced today that it has submitted a response to a
Request for Proposals for an Anthrax Recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA)
Vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile (Solicitation Number: RFP
BARDA 08-15) for SparVax(TM), the Company's novel rPA anthrax vaccine.
On February 28, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) issued a formal solicitation, referred to as a Request for
Proposals, for an Anthrax Recombinant Protective Antigen Vaccine for the
Strategic National Stockpile. The solicitation outlined a requirement to
procure 25 million doses of an anthrax rPA vaccine.
About SparVax(TM)
SparVax(TM) is a novel second generation recombinant protective (rPA)
anthrax vaccine consisting of rPA adsorbed onto Alhydrogel and packaged as
a liquid filled syringe for intramuscular injection. Preclinical studies
suggest that two or three doses of SparVax(TM), administered several weeks
apart, should be sufficient to induce protective immunity followed by an
annual booster shot. Phase I and Phase II clinical trials involving more
than 700 healthy human subjects have been completed and showed that
SparVax(TM) appears to be safe and well tolerated and induces an immune
response in humans. In preclinical studies SparVax(TM) has also
demonstrated the capability to protect non-human primates against a lethal
aerosol challenge of the anthrax Ames strain.
About PharmAthene, Inc.
PharmAthene was formed to meet the critical needs of the United States
and its allies by developing and commercializing medical countermeasures
against biological and chemical weapons. PharmAthene's lead product
development programs include (1) SparVax(TM) -- a second generation
recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine, (2) Valortim(TM) -- a
fully human monoclonal antibody for the prevention and treatment of anthrax
infection, (3) Protexia(R) -- a novel bioscavenger for the prevention and
treatment of morbidity and mortality associated with exposure to chemical
nerve agents, (4) RypVax(TM) -- a recombinant dual antigen vaccine for
plague, and (5) a third generation rPA anthrax vaccine. For more
information about PharmAthene, please visit http://www.PharmAthene.com.
Statement on Cautionary Factors
Except for the historical information presented herein, matters
discussed may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed
or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts,
including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words
"potential"; "believe"; "anticipate"; "intend"; "plan"; "expect";
"estimate"; "could"; "may"; "should"; or similar statements are
forward-looking statements. PharmAthene disclaims, however, any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Risks and
uncertainties include risk associated with the reliability of the results
of the studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects
resulting from the administration of the Company's product candidates,
unexpected funding delays and/or reductions or elimination of U.S.
government funding for one or more of the Company's development programs,
unforeseen safety issues, unexpected determinations that these product
candidates prove not to be effective and/or capable of being marketed as
products, as well as risks detailed from time to time in PharmAthene's
public disclosure filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"). Simply because we have made a submission in response to RFP
BARDA 08-15, there can be no assurance that we will be awarded a contract
for the advanced development and procurement of SparVax(TM). There can be
no assurance that such development efforts will succeed or that other
developed products will receive required regulatory clearance, or that,
even if such regulatory clearance were received, such products would
ultimately achieve commercial success. Copies of PharmAthene's public
disclosure filings are available from its investor relations department.
SOURCE PharmAthene, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.pharmathene.com/
CONTACT:
Stacey Jurchison of PharmAthene, Inc.,
+1-410-269-2610, Cell: +1-410-474-8200,
JurchisonS@PharmAthene.com
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