Vaccine producer provides updates on corporate programs.

2003 JUN 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Acambis plc (ACAM) announced its results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2003.

During the first quarter of 2003, there were a number of positive developments relating to our smallpox vaccine franchise.

We are announcing further information on our contracts with the U.S. government and providing an update on contracts with other governments around the world. These are described in further detail below.

In February, we were awarded a $9.2m contract by the U.S. National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) relating to development of a new Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine, which is a weakened form of the current generation of smallpox vaccines and, as such, should allow the safe inoculation of "at risk" people with weakened immune systems, who would otherwise be unable to be vaccinated against smallpox.

In March, we announced results from a phase I trial of our ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine in which 99% of subjects achieved the primary immunogenicity endpoint, which is development of a pock-mark on the skin, known as a "take." We also announced details of an agreement with Cangene Corporation (Cangene) to market Cangene's Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) product in markets outside North America and Israel. VIG is used in treating severe reactions that may be brought on by the administration of smallpox vaccine.

Revenue, pre-tax profit, and earnings per share during the period were in line with our expectations. Our cash position strengthened to give us a cash balance in excess of 50.0m pounds at 31 March 2003.

The U.S. Government has recently decided to consolidate all the future research and development and manufacturing activities associated with Acambis' two existing smallpox vaccine contracts under a single contract.