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Medicago's H5N1 Pandemic Flu Vaccine Effective in Key Ferret Animal Model With Single Dose

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 June 2008, 09:01 CDT

Medicago Inc. (TSX VENTURE: MDG) today announced positive results from a preclinical immunogenicity study of the Company's H5N1 Avian Influenza VLP vaccine that was performed in ferrets, the most predictive animal model for the effectiveness of influenza vaccines in humans. Results demonstrated that a single 5-microgram dose of the Company's H5N1 VLP vaccine induced high levels of antibodies in 100% of ferrets and met all required immunogenicity criteria of the European Union Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).These criteria set by the CHMP for the approval of seasonal flu vaccines in the European Union are widely used to assess immune responses of new pandemic influenza vaccines in humans. In the case of ferrets, these criteria are useful to predict effective doses that should be tested in humans.

"We believe these results are highly convincing as we prepare to commence human clinical trials for our vaccine," said Andy Sheldon, President and CEO of Medicago. "Our VLP vaccine is one of the first pandemic influenza vaccines to demonstrate it may provide significant immune protection after a single dose."

"Ferrets are the gold standard for determining the immunogenicity and efficacy of a vaccine candidate prior to human clinical trials," said Nathalie Landry, Medicago's VP Product Development. "FDA-approved H5N1 influenza vaccines in the United States require two 90-microgram doses, administered at least four weeks apart to achieve appropriate level of antibodies in 44% of vaccinated individuals. If these ferrets' results replicate in human clinical trials, we believe that our vaccine will have the potential to generate protection levels after just one dose of vaccine."

The objective of Medicago's study was to determine the optimal dosage of its VLP vaccine in ferrets. At the start of the study, ferrets were vaccinated with a range of doses of the Company's VLP vaccine made from an Indonesian strain of H5N1 Avian Influenza. A booster immunization was administered after three weeks. The results demonstrated that ferrets vaccinated with doses ranging from 5 to 15 micrograms met all CHMP criteria after the first dose with 100% of the ferrets having an hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titer greater than 1:40. In addition, all ferrets vaccinated with lower doses of 1ug micronsg met the three CHMP criteria after two doses.

About Medicago

Medicago is committed to provide highly effective and affordable vaccines based on proprietary Virus-Like Particle (VLP) and manufacturing technologies. Medicago is developing VLP vaccines to protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, using a transient expression system which produces recombinant vaccine antigens in non-transgenic plants. This technology has potential to offer advantages of speed and cost over competitive technologies. It could deliver a vaccine for testing in about a month after the identification and reception of genetic sequences from a pandemic strain. This production time frame has the potential to allow vaccination of the population before the first wave of a pandemic strikes and to supply large volumes of vaccine antigens to the world market. Additional information about Medicago is available at www.medicago.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect Medicago's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Medicago disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

The TSX Venture Exchange assumes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of this press release

 Contacts: Medicago, Inc. Andy Sheldon President and CEO 418-658-9393  The Equicom Group Inc. Arianna Vanin Investor Relations 514-844-4680 avanin@equicomgroup.com

SOURCE: Medicago Inc.

Source: MARKET WIRE

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