ANNAPOLIS, Md., Sept. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE MKT: PIP) announced today that new non-clinical animal data from the Company’s SparVax® next-generation anthrax vaccine program were presented at the 53rd Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Denver, Co. The data presented showed that immunization with SparVax® provides dose-dependent protection against lethal anthrax infection.
Dr. Sherry Crowe, Director, Immunology at PharmAthene, discussed the results in an oral presentation entitled, “Recombinant Protective Antigen Vaccine (SparVax®) Provides Protection against Lethal Challenge with Bacillus anthracis in New Zealand White Rabbits.”
Summary of SparVax® Findings Reported
The need for newer anthrax vaccines based on modern vaccine technology, which offer the potential for improved safety, convenience and cost-effectiveness, is widely acknowledged. SparVax® is a next-generation anthrax vaccine based on recombinant protective antigen (rPA), the principal virulence factor of the organism, B. anthracis. It is being developed for pre- and post-exposure protection against anthrax.
Previous non-clinical animal studies have demonstrated that immunization with SparVax® stimulates the production of anti-PA antibodies that provide protection against anthrax infection. The objective of the current study was to provide further confirmation of the immunogenicity and efficacy of SparVax® (manufactured in the U.S.) and determine the optimal dose range for protection.
In the current study, New Zealand White rabbits were administered escalating doses of SparVax® ranging from 0.003 micrograms to 1.0 micrograms of rPA. Control animals received either no immunization or were administered saline. Following immunization, the animals were challenged with B. anthracis spores (Ames strain).
The results demonstrated that SparVax® was effective in providing protection against lethal inhalation anthrax challenge and resulted in no adverse clinical observations. In the study, immunization with SparVax® stimulated a dose-dependent antibody response, which correlated with survival.
“PharmAthene is pleased to be working in partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) towards our mutual goal of advancing novel, next-generation anthrax vaccines to address important national security initiatives,” said Eric I. Richman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to continuing this progress and commencing a Phase 2 clinical trial of SparVax® later this year.”
Important Additional Information about the Proposed Merger
On August 1, 2013, PharmAthene filed with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a current report on Form 8-K, which includes a copy of a merger agreement and related documents relating to a proposed merger involving Theraclone Sciences, Inc. (“Theraclone”) and PharmAthene. On September 9, 2013, PharmAthene filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which contains a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation and other relevant materials, and plans to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed transaction. Once the registration statement has been declared effective, the final joint proxy statement / prospectus / consent solicitation will be sent to the stockholders of PharmAthene and Theraclone in connection with the stockholder votes on matters relating to the proposed transaction. The proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation contains information about PharmAthene, Theraclone, the proposed transaction, and related matters.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT / PROSPECTUS / CONSENT SOLICITATION (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING A DECISION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. In addition to receiving the proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation and proxy card by mail, stockholders will also be able to obtain the proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation, as well as other filings containing information about PharmAthene, without charge, from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or, without charge, by contacting Stacey Jurchison at PharmAthene at (410) 269-2610.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in connection with the merger or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Participants in Solicitation
PharmAthene and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from PharmAthene’s stockholders with respect to the matters relating to the proposed merger. Theraclone may also be deemed a participant in such solicitation. Information regarding PharmAthene’s executive officers and directors is available in Amendment No. 1 to PharmAthene’s proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2013. Information regarding such executive officers and directors and regarding any interest that PharmAthene, Theraclone or any of the executive officers or directors of PharmAthene or Theraclone may have in the transaction will be set forth in the final proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation that PharmAthene will file with the SEC in connection with its stockholder vote on matters relating to the proposed transaction. Stockholders will be able to obtain this information by reading the final proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation when it becomes available.
About PharmAthene
PharmAthene is a leading biodefense company engaged in the development and commercialization of next generation medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats. PharmAthene’s current biodefense portfolio includes the following product candidates:
- SparVax® - a next generation recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine
- rBChE bioscavenger - a medical countermeasure for nerve agent poisoning by organophosphorous compounds, including nerve gases and pesticides
- Valortim® - a fully human monoclonal antibody for the prevention and treatment of anthrax infection
In addition, in May 2013, the Delaware Supreme Court issued its ruling on the appeal in our litigation with SIGA Technologies, affirming the Court of Chancery’s finding that SIGA was liable for breach of contract, reversing its finding of promissory estoppel, and remanding the case back to the Court of Chancery to reconsider the appropriate remedy and award of attorney’s fees and expert witness costs in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion. For more information about PharmAthene, please visit www.PharmAthene.com.
About Theraclone
Theraclone is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel, monoclonal antibody therapeutics for diseases that are devastating for patients and their families and which are a significant threat to human health. Theraclone leverages its proprietary antibody discovery technology, ISTAR (InSitu Therapeutic Antibody Rescue), to identify rare human antibodies that may be developed into antibody product candidates that are potentially safer and more effective than current therapies. Theraclone has a portfolio of innovative antibodies in clinical and preclinical development targeting serious medical conditions with a significant unmet medical need and a primary focus on infectious disease and cancer, which include:
- TCN-032 - a recombinant fully human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients hospitalized with serious influenza
- TCN-202 - a recombinant fully human monoclonal antibody for the treatment and prevention of cytomegalovirus, or CMV infections
For more information about Theraclone, please visit www.theraclone-sciences.com.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “will"; “potential"; “believe"; “anticipate"; “intend"; “plan"; “expect"; “estimate"; “could"; “may"; “should"; or similar statements are forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to those referring to the potential for the generation of value, ability to leverage funding sources, potential for revenue, and potential for growth. PharmAthene disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among others, failure to obtain necessary shareholder approval for the proposed merger with Theraclone and the matters related thereto; failure of either party to meet the conditions to closing of the transaction; delays in completing the transaction and the risk that the transaction may not be completed at all; failure to realize the anticipated benefits from the transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of PharmAthene and Theraclone may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; operating costs and business disruption during the pendency of and following the transaction, including adverse effects on employee retention and on business relationships with third parties; the combined company’s need for and ability to obtain additional financing; risk associated with the reliability of the results of the studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects resulting from the administration of the combined company’s product candidates; unexpected funding delays and/or reductions or elimination of U.S. government funding for one or more of the combined company’s development programs; the award of government contracts to competitors; unforeseen safety issues; unexpected determinations that these product candidates prove not to be effective and/or capable of being marketed as products; as well as risks detailed from time to time in PharmAthene’s Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the caption “Risk Factors” and in its other reports filed with the SEC. In particular, there is significant uncertainty regarding the level and timing of sales of Arestvyr and when and whether it will be approved by the U.S. FDA and corresponding health agencies around the world. PharmAthene cannot predict with certainty if or when SIGA will begin recognizing profit on the sale thereof and there can be no assurance that any profits received by SIGA will be significant. In its May 2013 decision, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the remedy ordered by the Court of Chancery and remanded the issue of a remedy back to the trial court for reconsideration in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Chancery Court will issue a remedy that provides PharmAthene with a financial interest in Arestvyr and related products or any remedy. In addition, significant additional research work, non-clinical animal studies, clinical trials, and manufacturing development work remain to be done with respect to all of PharmAthene’s product candidates. At this point there can be no assurance that any of these product candidates will be shown to be safe and effective and approved by regulatory authorities for use in humans. Copies of PharmAthene’s public disclosure filings are available from its investor relations department and its website under the investor relations tab at http://www.pharmathene.com.
SOURCE PharmAthene, Inc.
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