CEL-SCI’S CEL-1000 Shown to Significantly Enhance Immune Response Against Avian Flu Antigen in Animals

VIENNA, Va., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CEL-SCI CORPORATION announces that CEL-1000 increased the immune response against H5 avian influenza antigen in combination with MAS-1, a water-in-oil adjuvant delivery system. These findings were presented on May 23, 2007 by Dr. Daniel Zimmerman, Senior Vice President of Research, Cellular Immunology at CEL-SCI at the American Society of Microbiologists 107th annual general meeting in Toronto, Canada.

This new finding with CEL-1000 may have broad application for the enhancement of immune responses by individuals who have a poor immune response to vaccinations. It also has application for antigen sparing (reducing the amount/dose of antigen required for protective immunity), and to biodefense and pandemic settings for anti-infectious vaccines.

CEL-1000 has previously been shown to increase the antigenicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV). In challenge studies, CEL-1000 has also previously been shown to protect animals against infection against viruses and unrelated diseases, specifically herpes simplex virus, viral encephalitis and malaria.

CEL-1000 appears to activate innate (very early stage) and Th1 type (cellular) immune responses to induce a broad-spectrum protection against infection in animal models. The innate immune system is generally accepted to be the first line of defense against infectious agents.

CEL-1000, derived from the beta chain of human MHC-II, is a modified version of a human immune-based protein known to bind to both human and mouse immune cells and appears to act by enhancing the host’s protective immune response. More information on CEL-1000 is available at www.cel-sci.com.

MAS-1 is a water-in-oil adjuvant delivery system owned by Mercia Pharma.

CEL-SCI Corporation is developing new immune system based treatments for cancer and infectious diseases. The Company has operations in Vienna, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. The Company’s lead product Multikine(R) is cleared to enter a global Phase III clinical trial for a first line indication in advanced primary head and neck cancer in the U.S. and Canada.

CEL-SCI Corporation

CONTACT: Gavin de Windt of CEL-SCI Corporation, +1-703-506-9460

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