ACAMBIS BEGINS PHASE II TRIAL OF SMALLPOX VACCINE

Acambis has begun a Phase II clinical trial of its investigational MVA smallpox vaccine, MVA3000, which is a weakened form of smallpox vaccine. Acambis is co-developing MVA3000 with its process development and manufacturing partner Baxter Healthcare.

The Phase II trial is designed to gather further safety and immunogenicity data about MVA3000 when administered at three different dose levels. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will involve 700 healthy adult subjects, half of whom have been previously vaccinated against smallpox. Data from this study will be used to select a dose of MVA3000 for further clinical testing.

MVA3000 is being developed for use in people for whom the traditional smallpox vaccine is contraindicated, such as patients with disorders of the immune system or skin conditions such as eczema.