( enging setting. Preclinical studies ...)Anthrax Monoclonal Antibody Valortim(tm) Demonstrates Therapeutic,Effect in New Primate Model of Established Anthrax Infection,Health

Preclinical studies suggest that Valortim has the potential to provide significant protection against anthrax infection when administered prophylactically (prior to the emergence of symptoms of anthrax infection) and also may increase survival when administered therapeutically (once symptoms become evident). In these studies, Valortim has been shown to protect both rabbits and monkeys against the lethal effects of anthrax infection when administered at the time of exposure, at doses as low as 1.0 mg/kg. When administered to rabbits after the development of symptoms, Valortim also improved survival as late as 48 hours post-exposure as compared to controls.

"We believe that there are distinct characteristics of Valortim that make it an ideal choice for military and civilian protection against an anthrax bioterrorist attack," commented David P. Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer of PharmAthene. "As our Phase I results have demonstrated, a single intramuscular dose of Valortim produces levels of antibodies in humans that correspond to protective levels in animal models and is well tolerated. Based on the impressive human safety and animal efficacy data collected to date, we believe that Valortim could meet the needs of the U.S. Government and could ultimately be selected for inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile to provide protection to the American public."

About Valortim

Valortim (MDX-1303) is a fully human antibody designed to protect against anthrax infection, including inhalation anthrax, the most lethal form of illness in humans caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacterium. The investigational antibody is designed to target a protein component known as the anthrax protective antigen (PA) of the lethal toxin complex produced by the bacterium. The anthrax protective antigen is believed to initiate the onset of the illness by attaching to cells in the infected person, and then is believed to facilitate the
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