VaxGen Announces Initial Results of its Phase III AIDS Vaccine Trial
VaxGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: VXGN) today announced initial results from the first of its three-year, multi-national,
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trials of AIDSVAX (rgp120) to prevent HIV infection.
The study did not show a statistically significant reduction of HIV infection within the study population as a whole,
which was the primary endpoint of the trial. However, the study did show a statistically significant reduction of HIV
infection in certain vaccinated groups. Protection appeared to correlate with the higher level of vaccine-induced
neutralizing antibodies observed in these groups, according to Michael Para, M.D., a principal investigator in the
study.
The initial results reported in this news release are subject to additional analysis. A more detailed analysis is
expected to be presented at the Keystone Symposia on HIV, March 29 to April 4. The full results of the trial will be
reviewed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the coming months.
The results presented here are based on trial volunteers who received at least the primary course of three injections
of either vaccine or placebo. Recognizing the limitations of subgroup analyses, the separate analysis of efficacy in
subgroups was pre-specified in the statistical analysis plan. The statistical analysis plan was reviewed in advance by
the FDA and its suggestions were incorporated prior to unblinding of the data. -- The reduction of infection among the
entire sample of volunteers, including all racial groups, was 3.8% (p-value = 0.76; n = 5,009). -- There were 67% fewer
HIV infections among ethnic minorities, other than Hispanic individuals, who received vaccine compared to placebo
recipients (p-value <0.01; n = 498). -- There were 78% fewer HIV infections among black volunteers who received vaccine compared to placebo
recipients (p-value <0.02; n = 314). Although the subgroup sample sizes were relatively small compared to the entire study sample, the
results are statistically significant. With regard to ethnic minorities in the trial, there is less than a 1%
possibility that the observed difference in infection rates could have occurred by chance. There is less than a 2%
possibility that the observed difference in infection rates among black volunteers could have occurred by chance. In
addition to the results in those receiving three doses, the reduction in infection in individuals who received at least
one dose of vaccine or placebo were similar and also statistically significant. This analysis is known as
"intent-to-treat".
Trial data indicate that black and Asian volunteers appeared to produce higher levels of antibodies against HIV. White
and Hispanic volunteers appeared to develop consistently lower levels of protective antibodies following vaccination.
VaxGen intends to conduct additional analyses to confirm if there was a direct correlation between the level of
antibodies and the prevention of infection.
"This is the first time we have specific numbers to suggest that a vaccine has prevented HIV infection in humans," said
Phillip Berman, Ph.D., VaxGen's senior vice president of Research and Development and inventor of the vaccine. "We're
not sure yet why certain groups have a better immune response, but these preliminary results indicate that a
surface-protein vaccine that stimulates neutralizing antibodies correlates with prevention of infection."
The results also indicate that AIDSVAX is well tolerated and has a high safety profile. Vaccine recipients had a
slightly higher rate of pain, swelling and tenderness at the injection site compared to placebo recipients.
"We intend to continue development of this vaccine through licensure, including additional studies as necessary, for
use in groups in which the vaccine demonstrated a significant reduction in infection," said Lance K. Gordon, Ph.D.,
chief executive officer of VaxGen. "In parallel, we will continue our work on the vaccine to make it more broadly
effective."
An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) consisting of prominent scientists, researchers, ethicists and a
biostatistician oversaw the trial. "VaxGen's conduct of this trial lived up to the highest standards of scientific
integrity," said Walter R. Dowdle, Ph.D., Chairman of the DSMB and former deputy director of the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dowdle is one of several independent researchers who have taken part in reviewing the trial data. The CDC participated
in the statistical analysis, and the resulting data were reviewed by Dowdle and four independent clinical researchers:
Donald Burke, M.D., from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health; Neil Flynn, M.D., M.P.H. from the University of
California at Davis; Donald Forthal, M.D., from the University of California at Irvine; and Michael Para, M.D., from
Ohio State College of Medicine.
AIDSVAX is composed of a recombinant form of the protein (gp120) on the surface of HIV and is produced in mammalian
cell culture. It includes two HIV subtype B antigens: MN and GNE8. The candidate vaccine cannot cause HIV infection
since it contains no genetic material from the virus. Made through recombinant DNA technology, it contains
non-infectious, genetically engineered proteins (rgp120) that mimic proteins on the surface of two strains of HIV
subtype B. This subtype is prevalent in North America, Europe, Australia, Japan and Puerto Rico. "Thanks to the
dedication of thousands of trial volunteers, who are the real heroes here, we have gained extraordinary new insight into
how to prevent HIV," said VaxGen President and co-founder Donald P. Francis, M.D., D.Sc. "We also owe a debt of
gratitude to the investigators and their staff for their commitment to the project. The results from this groundbreaking
effort will provide new insights into HIV and hopefully pave the way to ever more effective vaccines." About the AIDSVAX
B/B Phase III Trial VaxGen's randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial was designed in consultation
with the FDA to test AIDSVAX B/B for safety and protective efficacy against the sexual transmission of HIV. The study
volunteers included 5,108 men who have sex with men and 309 at-risk women, all of whom were meant to be HIV negative
when they joined the trial. During the 36-month trial, a total of seven injections were administered at months 0, 1, 6,
12, 18, 24 and 30. The ratio of vaccine to placebo recipients was 2:1.
The trial was conducted in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Netherlands. Trial volunteers received
regular counseling to avoid risks that could lead to HIV infection and were advised to assume that they may have
received a placebo and that the vaccine might not be effective. A separate CDC study indicated that volunteers did not
increase their risk behavior, and VaxGen's preliminary analysis of the trial data indicates that risk behavior was
reduced in both the placebo and vaccine groups.
"If licensed, this vaccine could be an important tool to help prevent HIV infection, but it should not be considered a
substitute for other risk-reducing practices," Dowdle said. "HIV prevention programs will continue to be very
important."
VaxGen is nearing completion of its Phase III trial in Thailand, testing a formulation of AIDSVAX designed to protect
against HIV subtypes B and E, and expects to announce results of that trial in the second half of 2003. Subtype E is
prevalent in Southeast and East Asia and the Central African Republic. Unlike the AIDSVAX B/B trial, which tested the
vaccine against sexual transmission of the virus, the trial in Thailand is testing the vaccine against infection
acquired by injection drug use.
VaxGen is also in an early stage of developing a vaccine against HIV subtype C, prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, India
and China. The company is committed to developing increasingly effective formulations of AIDSVAX that target all HIV
subtypes. AIDSVAX B/B Trial Statistics Number of volunteers to complete three immunizations: 5,009 Placebo recipients:
1,679 AIDSVAX B/B recipients: 3,330 White volunteers: 4,185 Hispanic volunteers: 326 Non-white volunteers (Black, Asian,
Other): 498 Black volunteers: 314 Annual study infection rate 2.7% Approximate Efficacy (after at least 3 primary doses)
All volunteers: 3.8% (p-value = 0.76; confidence interval: -23% to 24%) Non-white volunteers: 67% (p-value < 0.01; confidence interval: 30% to 84%) Black volunteers: 78% (p-value < 0.02; confidence interval: 29% to 93%) Conference Call and Webcast VaxGen will host a conference call and webcast
today, Monday, February 24, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. EST (14:00 GMT) to discuss the results of its Phase III AIDS Vaccine
Trial. Participants are asked to dial in 10 minutes before the start of the call. The following phone numbers will
provide access to the conference call, the replay of which will be available through February 28, 2003. WHEN: Monday,
Feb. 24, 2003 9 a.m. EST (14:00 GMT) WHERE: Live Call: Domestic: 888-937-5291 International: 212-271-4646 No passcode
required Replay: Domestic: 800-428-6051 International: 973-709-2089 Passcode: 286715 The replay will be available for
five business days following the call. Webcast: Accessed via any one of three web sites: http://www.vaxgen.com http://www.kaisernetwork.org http://www.companyboardroom.com ( insert Ticker: VXGN) (http://www.companyboardroom.com/company.asp?client=cb=vxgn) About VaxGen VaxGen is focused on the commercial development of biologic products for the prevention and
treatment of human infectious diseases and is currently developing vaccines against HIV/AIDS, anthrax and smallpox.
Additionally, VaxGen is the largest shareholder of Celltrion, Inc., a joint venture created to provide large-scale
manufacturing services, principally for products produced in mammalian cell culture, including AIDSVAX. VaxGen is
located in Brisbane, Calif. For more information, please visit the company's web site at: www.vaxgen.com. AIDSVAX(R) is
a registered trademark of VaxGen.
VaxGen was co-founded by Donald Francis, M.D., D.Sc., and Robert Nowinski, Ph.D. Francis leads the clinical development
of the vaccine, and Dr. Nowinski, who retired from VaxGen in 2001, was the company's entrepreneur, financing the company
at its origin and key early stages. AIDSVAX was invented by Phillip Berman, Ph.D., head of VaxGen's research and
development.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These
forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the outcome of any further analysis of the
clinical data from this AIDSVAX trial, the timing and progress of completion of development efforts for AIDSVAX, the
need for additional clinical trials to support licensure of AIDSVAX, the timing or ultimate outcome of FDA approval of
AIDSVAX in racial subgroups or more broadly, and the timing and progress of the Company's second Phase III clinical
trial in Thailand. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to
differ materially from those anticipated. Reference should be made to VaxGen's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2002, under the heading "Risk Factors" and to VaxGen's Annual
Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2002, under the heading "Business"
for a more detailed description of such factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release. VaxGen undertakes no obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this
release except as required by law. SOURCE VaxGen, Inc.