High Wycombe, UK – 7 April 2007 PepTcell Ltd. an immunology company with a focus on the development of vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, has started safety studies for its novel HIV-v vaccine, a vaccine which in addition to stopping HIV infection, could also be used for treating HIV.

The preclinical studies will include both single and multiple dose administration of the HIV–v in safety and tolerability models, allowing PepTcell to determine a suitable human dose for the Phase 1 clinical trials which are scheduled to begin in early 2009.

HIV-v is a novel T-cell epitope vaccine based upon four polypeptide sequences derived from the conserved protein regions of HIV, namely VPR, VIF, REV and NEF. Unlike previous experimental HIV vaccines, HIV-v is a synthetic peptide mix that can be administered by a simple subcutaneous injection. It is not a DNA-based product and no viral delivery system is required.

The product is intended to have a prophylactic effect by stimulating a cytotoxic T-cell response, whereby the T-cells attack the HIV, preventing its replication. It also has the potential to have a therapeutic effect in individuals who are seropositive for HIV but have not yet developed AIDS. This is because the immune systems of individuals who have recently contracted HIV are largely intact and will still have the ability to respond to HIV-v thereby enhancing their natural resistance to the HIV infection. PepTcell believe that such a treatment regimen will postpone the need for anti-retroviral therapy, delaying or even preventing the onset of AIDS.

Dr Stuart Robinson, Head of Business Development of PepTcell commented: “To date, it has not been possible to create an effective HIV vaccine using traditional methods as the virus is able to change rapidly, rendering any potential product ineffective. We are very hopeful that this new approach will overcome these difficulties and will open the possibility of being able to treat patients who are HIV positive thereby preventing or delaying the onset of AIDS as well as preventing new infections.”

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NOTES FOR EDITORS
About PepTcell Ltd

PepTcell is a biotechnology company focused on applying its breakthrough technology to the development of a new class of vaccines – T-cell vaccines – against highly mutagenic viruses. The Company began operating in 2004; however the founding shareholders and key employees have been working on this novel concept for over 20 years.

Since its inception, the Company has completed the majority of its pre-clinical work for its influenza and HIV vaccines. PepTcell’s lead product Flu-v, a single treatment flu vaccine is about to enter clinical trials in the UK. The vaccine, developed to be effective against all strains of flu virus (technical animation available) could eliminate the need for annual flu vaccinations.

PepTCell, a private Company, headquartered in High Wycombe, UK is in the process of finalising all the manufacturing processes for its Flu-v vaccine, and successfully raised capital from a range of investors.

For further information please visit the website at www.peptcell.com

For further information please contact:

College Hill
Katja Stout, Tony Stephenson, Claire Mosley
Tel: +44 (0)20 7457 2020
E-mail: peptcell@collegehill.com 

At PepTcell
Gregory Stoloff
Managing Director
Tel: + 44 (0)870 351 4608
Email: gregory.stoloff@peptcell.com 

Dr Stuart Robinson
Head of Business Development
Tel: +44 (0) 870 734 6520
Email: stuart.robinson@peptcell.com 

Dr Wilson Caparros-Wanderley
Chief Scientific Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 870 351 4614
Email: wilson.wanderley@peptcell.com