Positive final results from Medicago's H5N1 Avian Influenza VLP vaccine Phase II trial

Jun 30 2011

Medicago Inc. (TSX: MDG) a biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today reported positive final results from a Phase II human clinical trial with its H5N1 Avian Influenza VLP vaccine candidate ("H5N1 vaccine"). The vaccine induced a solid immune response and was found to be safe and well tolerated.

"These positive Phase II clinical trial results continue to demonstrate that our rapid plant-based vaccine technology produces VLP vaccines that are safe and among the most effective of the industry," said Andy Sheldon, President and CEO of Medicago. "Our Phase II part B data confirms the solid results obtained in Phase II part A for optimal dosing. In addition, our results demonstrated similar efficacy in the older and younger volunteer age groups which is a potential differential advantage over other technologies."

"We soon expect to have the capacity to commercially produce these vaccines as our U.S. vaccine facility in North Carolina will be operational this fall. In addition, we believe these results further support the effectiveness of our rapid plant-based vaccine platform and the development of our seasonal flu vaccine candidate which we intend to proceed with a U.S. clinical trial in the second half of the year," continued Mr. Sheldon.