Immunovaccine Shows Pronounced and Persistent T Cell Immune Responses in DPX-Survivac Cancer Vaccine Study Presented at Ameri...

Immunovaccine Inc. ("Immunovaccine" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:IMV), a
clinical stage vaccine company, presented positive results from a Phase I
clinical study of DPX-Survivac, one of the Company's two clinical stage cancer
vaccines, this weekend at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2013
Annual Meeting. In a poster presentation at the conference, Immunovaccine
highlighted study results that showed ovarian cancer patients treated with
DPX-Survivac combined with low dose oral cyclophosphamide experienced pronounced
and persistent T cell immune responses against survivin, a protein strongly
associated with several tumor types. The company believes that these immune
responses are consistent in profile to those necessary from a cancer vaccine to
potentially impact disease progression. These study results were further
discussed by Dr. Jedd Wolchok of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, a top
thought leader in the area of cancer immunotherapy, at the poster discussion
session that followed. 


The Phase I study evaluated DPX-Survivac in combination with a maintenance low
dose oral cyclophosphamide in ovarian cancer patients who have responded
favorably to a standard of care platinum-based chemotherapy. The dose of
cyclophosphamide was designed to have an immune modulation rather than a
chemotherapeutic effect. Patients were enrolled in a non-randomized dose
escalation fashion to receive three doses of DPX-Survivac alone or the vaccine
along with cyclophosphamide. Patients receiving the combination treatment
received one of two vaccine doses to evaluate a dose response to the vaccine. 


A detailed study analysis showed that patients receiving the highest dose of
DPX-Survivac demonstrated significantly higher survivin specific immune
responses that were produced following one or two vaccinations and sustained
after the third vaccination for at least three months. The durable systemic T
cell response consisted of central and effector memory CD8 positive T cells that
were of sufficient magnitude to be detected in peripheral blood without
additional in vitro amplification. Persistent circulating memory CD4 positive
and late differentiated CD8 positive T cells were also detected. Results were
confirmed using multiple immune monitoring assays, including ELISpot, tetramer
analysis and multiparametric immune cell staining. 


The combination of DPX-Survivac and oral cyclophosphamide was generally well
tolerated with no significant systemic adverse events. The most commonly
reported adverse events were injection site reactions which were most prominent
after repeated immunizations in patients receiving the highest dose of
DPX-Survivac with cyclophosphamide. It is important to note that these patients
receiving the highest DPX-Survivac dose also presented the strongest immune
responses during the study.


"The high magnitude of persistent T cell immunity against survivin achieved in
this study validates our concept of combining DPX-Survivac with oral
cyclophosphamide," said Marc Mansour, chief science officer of Immunovaccine,
who presented the data during the ASCO poster session. "Just as importantly,
these T cells have the activation profile that therapeutic vaccines must achieve
to potentially influence disease progression. As a result, we have a solid
foundation to move our vaccine strategy forward into a randomized Phase II
study."


About DPX-Survivac 

DPX-Survivac consists of survivin-based peptide antigens formulated in the
DepoVax(TM) adjuvanting platform. Survivin has been recognized by the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) as a promising tumor-associated antigen (TAA) because of
its therapeutic potential and its cancer specificity. Survivin is broadly
over-expressed in multiple cancer types in addition to ovarian cancer, including
breast, colon and lung cancers. Survivin plays an essential role in antagonizing
apoptosis, supporting tumor-associated angiogenesis, and promoting resistance to
various anti-cancer therapies. Survivin is also a prognostic factor for many
cancers and it is found in a higher percentage of tumors than other TAA's.


The DPX-Survivac vaccine is thought to work by eliciting a cytotoxic T-cell
immune response against cells presenting survivin peptides on HLA class I
molecules. This targeted therapy attempts to use the immune system to search
actively and specifically for tumor cells and destroy them. Survivin-specific
T-cells have been shown to target and kill survivin-expressing cancer cells
while sparing normal cells.


About DepoVax(TM) 

DepoVax(TM) is a patented formulation that provides controlled and prolonged
exposure of antigens plus adjuvant to the immune system, resulting in a strong,
specific and sustained immune response with the capability for single-dose
effectiveness. The DepoVax(TM) platform possesses impressive flexibility,
allowing it to work with a broad range of target antigens in various therapeutic
applications. The technology is also commercially scalable, with potential for
years of stability and ease of use in the clinic.


About Immunovaccine 

Immunovaccine Inc. applies its novel adjuvanting platform to the development of
vaccines for cancer therapy, infectious diseases and animal health. The
Company's DepoVax(TM) platform is a patented formulation that provides
controlled and prolonged exposure of antigens plus adjuvant to the immune
system. Immunovaccine has advanced two DepoVax(TM)-based cancer vaccines into
Phase I human clinical trials. The Company is also advancing a broad infectious
diseases pipeline including vaccines in such indications as malaria, respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) and anthrax.  In addition to the Company's human health
vaccine strategy, it continues to capture value from animal health vaccine
applications. Immunovaccine has key partnerships in the animal health sector
including an agreement with Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health).  Connect at
www.imvaccine.com.


This press release contains forward-looking information under applicable
securities law. All information that addresses activities or developments that
we expect to occur in the future is forward-looking information. Forward-looking
statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the
statements are made. However, they should not be regarded as a representation
that any of the plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially
from those set forth in this press release due to risks affecting the company,
including access to capital, the successful completion of clinical trials and
receipt of all regulatory approvals. Immunovaccine Inc. assumes no
responsibility to update forward-looking statements in this press release. 


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Immunovaccine Inc.
Dr. Marc Mansour
Chief Science Officer
[phone]
[e-mail]
www.imvaccine.com


Vida Strategic Partners (media)
Tim Brons
[phone]
[e-mail]