Promising Data Presented on GenVec Inc. RSV Program

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GenVec, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNVC) announced today that data were presented on GenVec’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine program at the “8th Annual International Respiratory Syncytial Virus Symposium,” which took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico from September 27-30, 2012.

Data presented at the conference demonstrated GenVec’s universal RSV vaccine candidate is highly immunogenic and produces durable and broad protection from a single intramuscular administration. Protection in cotton rat and mouse models was characterized by functional RSV neutralizing antibodies and no disease potentiation was observed. GenVec’s RSV vaccine candidate utilizes a proprietary adenovirus that is capable of generating a broad immune response while avoiding the problems of vector specific immunity that has hampered other vectored vaccines.

“Preclinical studies in accepted animal models show that our vaccine candidate has the desired efficacy and safety attributes required for a successful RSV vaccine,” stated Jason Gall, PhD, Senior Director of Research at GenVec and the company’s lead RSV scientist. “GenVec has received valuable input from the FDA on the clinical plan for the vaccine and will continue to explore opportunities to move the program forward with a partner.”

About Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RSV is the single most important viral cause of lower respiratory infections in infants and young children and there is no approved vaccine. According to the World Health Organization, nearly all U.S. children have been infected with RSV by two years of age. Although RSV infection usually produces cold-like symptoms, the infection can result in severe lower respiratory tract infection, which causes up to 130,000 pediatric hospitalizations per year in the U.S. RSV also causes repeated infections throughout life, placing the elderly and individuals with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems at risk for severe disease. Among the institutionalized elderly, it is estimated there are about 15,000 deaths annually from RSV.

About GenVec

GenVec is a biopharmaceutical company using differentiated, proprietary technologies to create superior therapeutics and vaccines. A key component of our strategy is to develop and commercialize our product candidates through collaborations. GenVec is working with leading companies and organizations such as Novartis, Merial, and the U.S. Government to support a portfolio of product programs that address the prevention and treatment of a number of significant human and animal health concerns. GenVec’s development programs address therapeutic areas such as hearing loss and balance disorders; as well as vaccines against infectious diseases including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), dengue fever, malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the area of animal health we are developing vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Additional information about GenVec is available at www.genvec.com and in the Company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Statements herein relating to future financial or business performance, conditions or strategies and other financial and business matters, including expectations regarding funding, grants, collaborations, revenues, cash burn rates, the development of products and the success of the Company’s collaborations, including with Novartis and Merial, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. GenVec cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including the failure by GenVec to secure and maintain relationships with collaborators; risks relating to the early stage of GenVec’s product candidates under development; uncertainties relating to research and development activities; risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of GenVec’s proposed product candidates; dependence on the efforts of collaborators and third parties; dependence on intellectual property; currently unanticipated expenses, and risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund our operations. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect GenVec’s business, financial conditions and results of operations, are contained in GenVec’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and GenVec assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

SOURCE GenVec, Inc.