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Biovest International's National Cell Culture Center to Open Their Doors to Non-Academic Researchers

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 June 2006, 09:00 CDT

Biovest International, Inc. (OTCBB: BVTI) and its research partner the National Cell Culture Center (NCCC) have agreed, as of July 1, 2006, to extend to the general research market access to their research resource facility, as well as Biovest's hollow fiber instruments.

Previously, the Center, housed in Biovest's modern Cell Culture Laboratory, was only accessible to academic researchers sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH's National Center of Resources for Research established the facility at Biovest's labs in Minneapolis, and restricted its use to NIH-sanctioned large-scale cell culture services. As of July 1, the Center will be available to non-academic researchers such as those employed by corporations and non-governmental organizations.

"The NCCC has 15 years experience in the growth of cells and in the production of cell-based products, monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins for research. However, historically, its work has been limited to studies performed in association with the NIH," said Dr. Steve Arikian, Biovest Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We at Biovest believe the Center's expertise and production capabilities, along with the use of our hollow fiber instruments for cell culture products, would be of exceedingly high value to other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies seeking customized services. Thus, the opening of the Center to non-academic researchers establishes a potentially significant additional revenue stream for the Company."

About Biovest International, Inc.

Biovest International, Inc. is a pioneer in the development of advanced individualized immunotherapies for life-threatening cancers of the blood system. Biovest is a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., with its remaining shares publicly traded. Biovest has a foundation in the manufacture of biologics for research and for clinical trials. In addition, Biovest develops, manufactures, and markets patented cell culture systems, including the innovative AutovaxID(TM) C, which is being developed as an automated vaccine-manufacturing instrument and for production of cell-based materials and therapeutics. Biovest's therapy for follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is currently in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial being conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute at more than 20 major medical centers throughout the U.S. For further information, visit Biovest's Web site: www.biovest.com.

About Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of late-stage clinical products in the therapeutic areas of respiratory disease and oncology. Two of these products are SinuNase(TM) and BiovaxID(TM). The Company's SinuNase(TM) product, in development to treat chronic sinusitis (rhinosinusitis), is a novel application and formulation of a known anti-fungal licensed from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. BiovaxID(TM) is a patient-specific anti-cancer vaccine for the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. BiovaxID(TM), which is being developed by Accentia's subsidiary Biovest International, Inc., is currently in a Phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, Accentia's growing specialty pharmaceutical business, TEAMM Pharmaceuticals, has a portfolio of currently marketed products plus a pipeline of additional products under development by third parties. For further information, visit Accentia's Web site: www.accentia.net.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute "forward-looking statements." Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about BiovaxID(TM) and any other statements relating to products, product candidates, and product development programs. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "may,""could,""would,""should,""believes,""expects,""anticipates,""estimates,""intends,""plans" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results of Accentia and/or Biovest to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of clinical trials and product development programs; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approval for product candidates; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and the additional risks discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and neither Accentia nor Biovest undertakes any obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Source: Business Wire

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