AVXT AVAX Technologies Inc (CE)

AVAX Technologies, Inc. (OTCMarket: AVXT.OB) today announced it has initiated enrollment to its clinical trial of M-Vax for the treatment of patients with Stage III and IV melanoma in the United States. The study is a multi-center trial that will include up to seven clinical sites. In addition, the Company has initiated a clinical trial in patients with metastatic peritoneal cancer in France. Both studies will measure safety and include an immunological measure of vaccine activity as measured by Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Testing (DTH). To assist in the performance and evaluation of the U. S. study, the Company has established a Data Safety Monitoring Board. David Berd, MD, Chief Medical Officer of AVAX stated, "We are pleased to be able to begin these important clinical studies which reestablish AVAX's clinical development program for the AC Vaccine and we acknowledge the support and assistance of our clinical sites and our Data Safety Monitoring Board in helping us to successfully launch these programs." In addition, the Company reported that Dr. David Berd participated in an international investigators meeting in Lyon, France that was sponsored by GROUPO FERRER, S.A., the Company's distribution partner for the AC Vaccine in a number of countries in Europe and Latin America. Following Dr. Berd's talk, Dr. J-P Hermanne, Head of Hemato-Oncology, CHR Namur, Belgium and Dr. Luis Miguel Real, Technical Director, NeoCodex, Seville, Spain, gave presentations on the immunological and clinical effects seen in melanoma patients treated with M-Vax. Dr. Andres Crespo, General Manager of Genopoietic, AVAX's wholly owned French subsidiary, stated "We were very impressed with the presentations given at the symposium. The clinical and immunological data presented by the clinicians demonstrated a clear consistency with the historic findings published previously by Dr. Berd." Both doctors have been treating patients on a compassionate basis with Stage III & IV melanoma. Richard Rainey, President of AVAX noted "With the closing of our private placement in April and the launching of our clinical programs we are in position to build our organization and continue to explore the utility of the vaccine. In addition to our existing clinical programs, we are also planning clinical trials in France and the United States that will include lung cancer and metastatic colon and ovarian cancers. Initiation of these programs will allow us to build momentum towards the commercial launch of our vaccine in addition to demonstrating the universal applicability of the AC Vaccine as a platform technology for the treatment of cancer". Information for Patients Patients and clinicians interested in learning more about the current clinical trial of melanoma or who want a list of the participating sites may contact Dr. David Berd at (215) 241-9760 X1306. About AVAX Technologies, Inc. AVAX Technologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company with operations in the United States and Europe. The Company is engaged in the research, clinical and commercial development of biological products and cancer therapeutics. AVAX's AC Vaccine platform is a therapeutic treatment for cancer. In addition, the Company performs contract-manufacturing services for biological products to other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The AC Vaccines therapeutic is prepared by attaching a small chemical to the patient's tumor cells in a process known as haptenization. This hapten modification allows the tumor cells to stimulate a T cell-based immune response to a patients own tumor cells. An early indicator of T cell immune activity is DTH. A previously published article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2004 reported actual five-year survival data for a group of 214 patients with clinically evident Stage III melanoma treated with the AC Vaccine following surgery. The study demonstrated five-year survival of 45% and showed a highly statistically significant relationship between survival and DTH to patients' own tumor cells. Notably, based upon these results, DTH appears to be a viable "surrogate marker" for survival and an early indicator for clinical effectiveness of current and future product candidates. Previously clinical trials in ovarian and renal cell carcinoma, demonstrated strong DTH responses consistent with those reported for melanoma patients. Except for statements that are historical, the statements in this release are "forward-looking" statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and in light of the significant uncertainties inherent in such statements, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by AVAX that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. In fact, actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Many important factors affect the Company's prospects, including (1) the results of clinical and laboratory testing of its vaccine technologies, (2) possible future FDA or AFSSAPS questions regarding the Company's products and manufacturing processes, (3) the Company's need for additional capital in the future to continue its development programs, (4) the Company's ability to maintain its rights under license agreements and to meet funding requirements under its license agreements, (5) the Company's ability to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of product candidates at each stage of development and to meet applicable regulatory standards and receive required regulatory approvals, (6) the Company's ability to manufacture, receive and ship its vaccine products for clinical and commercial distribution, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in AVAX's public disclosure filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004. AVAX does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.