Intercell AG announced that its collaborator Merck & Co, Inc has initiated a phase-II clinical trial of V710, an investigational vaccine for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections. This randomized double blind, placebo controlled study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate in patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis. This trial start follows the initiation of a separate phase-II trial in December 2007.

Gerd Zettlmeissl, CEO of Intercell, commented, "We are very pleased that our strategic partner Merck has chosen to initiate a further phase-II clinical trial. We look forward to continued progress of the program building on clinical data obtained so far."

The S aureus vaccine candidate is based on a conserved protein antigen discovered by Intercell and licensed to Merck & Co, Inc in 2004 on an exclusive world wide basis. Merck is responsible for clinical development, manufacturing and marketing. Intercell is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on future net sales. In phase-I clinical trials the S aureus candidate vaccine was shown to be immunogenic and generally well tolerated.

Hospital-acquired infections caused by bacteria are one of the major causes of death and serious illness. Intercell has embarked on a large scale, comprehensive and multi-target antigen identification program to contribute to vaccine efforts in this field.

S aureus is the most frequent cause of hospital-acquired infections. In addition to bloodstream infections with a mortality rate of up to 35 per cent, infections of bone, heart and other inner organs are leading to serious health complications, death and economic burden.