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Intercell AG to Acquire
Iomai Corporation to Expand Late Stage Product Pipeline and Strengthen
Leadership in Vaccine Innovation
• Intercell AG ('Intercell') to acquire Iomai Corporation ('Iomai')
in a fully recommended share/cash transaction for USD 6.60 per share of
Iomai's common stock representing a fully diluted equity value of Iomai
of approximately USD 189 million (EUR 122 million). Acquisition to be
accomplished through stock-for-stock exchange for approximately 41 percent
of Iomai's current shares outstanding held by major shareholders for approximately
1.7 million Intercell shares (representing approximately four percent
of Intercell's total outstanding shares), and an all-cash merger for the
remaining fully diluted outstanding shares of Iomai's common stock for
approximately USD 119 million (EUR 77 million).
• The deal creates a leading Traveler's Vaccine portfolio by combining
Intercell's Japanese Encephalitis vaccine with Iomai's needle-free Travelers'
Diarrhea vaccine. The Travelers' Diarrhea vaccine is planned to enter
pivotal Phase III trials in the first half of 2009 and is based on the
only advanced needle-free vaccine patch technology in the industry. Through
the transaction Intercell gains access to a further product generating
technology platform.
• Valuable expansion of Intercell's pipeline and leveraging Intercell's
late stage product development and industrialization expertise with two
further programs in clinical development including a vaccine patch for
pandemic influenza in Phase II.
• Intercell will finance the cash component of the transaction consideration
of approximately USD 119 million (EUR 77 million) comfortably from existing
reserves and expects to maintain profitability in 2008.
VIENNA, Austria and GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Intercell AG (VSE: ICLL) and Iomai Corporation (Nasdaq: IOMI) announced
today that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which
Intercell will acquire Iomai for USD 6.60 per share representing a fully
diluted equity value of approximately USD 189 million (EUR 122 million).
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors
of both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions including
antitrust clearances, clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment
in the United States and the approval of the holders of a majority of
Iomai's shares. Shareholders holding over 50 percent of Iomai's total
shares outstanding have entered into agreements to vote in favour of the
combination.
Intercell will gain full rights to Iomai's late stage Travelers' Diarrhea
vaccine which is based on Iomai's proprietary needle-free patch delivery
vaccine technology and has shown positive interim Phase II efficacy data.
The Travelers' Diarrhea vaccine is expected to enter pivotal Phase III
trials in the first half of 2009. If approved, the medical use of Iomai's
Travelers' Diarrhea vaccine will be highly complementary with Intercell's
Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for which a Biologics License Application
was successfully submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration in December
2007, and for which Intercell expects market approvals in the US, Europe
and Australia in 2008. Together, both vaccines create an extremely attractive
Traveler's Vaccine franchise which will target a combined market opportunity
of over USD 1 billion in sales per year.
Commenting on the transaction, Gerd Zettlmeissl, CEO of Intercell, said:
"This transaction further expands our leadership in vaccine innovation,
greatly enhances Intercell's R&D technology base and further strengthens
our late stage vaccine portfolio. Building on our proven experience in
industrialization and in moving novel products to the market, Intercell
is fully committed to becoming the leading pure play vaccine company globally.
We look forward to welcoming Iomai's employees to Intercell and are excited
by the potential of the combined group to create significant value for
all stakeholders."
Stanley C. Erck, President and CEO of Iomai, said: "We have built
a dynamic and scientifically driven organisation. This strategic combination
with Intercell will create a stronger, more diversified vaccine company
and will accelerate the development of Iomai's vaccine programs and fully
leverage our innovative TCI technology. We believe this transaction is
in the best interest of all parties, including shareholders, employees
and ultimately patients."
Intercell will also gain full rights to two additional clinical and three
preclinical programs under development, the most advanced being an immunostimulant
vaccine patch in Phase II for pandemic influenza. This patch is designed
to enhance the immune response compared to injected pandemic influenza
vaccines. If successful, it would have the effect of expanding limited
vaccine supplies by allowing public health officials to use fewer or lower
doses of the vaccine. The vaccine patch has recently generated positive
interim immunogenicity data in a 500-subject Phase I/II study with a one-dose
application. The program is funded by a grant from the United States Department
of Health and Human Services.
Iomai's pioneering work in transcutaneous immunization (TCI) technology
has led to the development of a simple and promising needle-free vaccine
patch. This highly innovative vaccine delivery system provides a potential
future alternative to current injected vaccines. TCI technology has the
potential to enhance the efficacy of existing vaccines, replace current
vaccines that have a cumbersome mode of administration and enable the
development of new vaccines that are not viable to be delivered via an
injection.
Iomai's TCI technology strengthens Intercell's position as an innovative
vaccine company and is highly complementary with its proprietary antigen
identification and adjuvant vaccine technology platforms (AIP(R) and IC31(R)).
TCI adds an important third arm to Intercell's leading vaccine technologies,
specifically a delivery platform for antigens and adjuvants that can facilitate
the development of a broad range of in-house and partnered vaccine products.
Both companies have already partnered technologies with Merck & Co.,
Inc., the most recent one being Iomai's agreement to conduct proof-of-principle
preclinical studies evaluating the use of its needle-free immunostimulant
patch. Intercell plans to further leverage the TCI technology by applying
it to other vaccines in its development pipeline, such as its Pneumococcus
vaccine candidate.
Furthermore, Iomai's vaccine patch has the potential to provide cheaper
and more effective medication to those living in endemic areas, in particular
high risk groups such as children and the elderly located in developing
countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Transaction Terms:
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Intercell will acquire Iomai
for USD 6.60 per share of Iomai's common stock representing a fully diluted
equity value of Iomai of approximately USD 189 million (EUR 122 million).
The consideration will be paid in cash and stock. Iomai's public shareholders,
representing approximately 59 percent of Iomai's outstanding common stock
will receive cash. Certain of Iomai's largest shareholders, together representing
approximately 41 percent of Iomai's outstanding common stock, have agreed
to exchange their shares for Intercell stock at an exchange ratio corresponding
to a value of USD 6.60 per share of Iomai common stock upon closing.
The combination is structured as a share exchange together with a merger
of Iomai and a US subsidiary of Intercell. Certain of Iomai's largest
shareholders (and their affiliates), which together represent over 50
percent of Iomai's outstanding common stock, have agreed pursuant to a
voting agreement with Intercell that they will vote their shares in favour
of the merger.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors
of both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions, including
the approval of the merger by a majority of shareholders of Iomai at a
special shareholder meeting to be held as soon as practical, receipt of
antitrust clearances and clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment
in the United States. Intercell and Iomai expect the transaction to close
before the end of the third quarter of 2008.
Based on Intercell's closing share price as of 9 May 2008, Intercell would
issue approximately 1.7 million Intercell shares from authorized capital
as consideration, the final number of Intercell shares to be determined
shortly before the closing of the transaction. Intercell will fund the
cash component of the transaction from existing cash reserves and expects
to maintain profitability in 2008.
Merrill Lynch International acted as exclusive financial adviser to Intercell
and Cowen and Company provided a financial fairness opinion to Iomai's
Board of Directors.
Analyst/Shareholder Conference Call:
A conference call on the transaction together with Intercell's Q1 2008
results will be held by Intercell and Iomai's senior managements on May
13, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. CET (7:30 a.m. GMT). A webcast replay of the conference
call will be made available on Intercell's website. For further information
please go to http://www.intercell.com.
Ad-hoc Information
About Travelers' Diarrhea:
This year, approximately 55 million international travelers will visit
countries where bacteria that cause travelers' diarrhea are endemic, particularly
Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimate that between 20 and 50 percent of international travelers contract
diarrhea. The effects go beyond the acute symptoms of the disease; between
10 and 30 percent of those who develop travelers' diarrhea will develop
the chronic symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Because of the extent of the problem and the lack of safe and effective
prophylaxis, market studies suggest that there is a large market for an
effective travelers' diarrhea vaccine, potentially exceeding USD 750 million
annually. If approved, the Iomai vaccine would be the first vaccine for
travelers' diarrhea available in the United States.
About Pandemic Influenza:
Three influenza pandemics have occurred in the 20th century leading to
the death of more than 50 million people globally. By US government estimates,
pandemic influenza has a greater potential to cause deaths and illnesses
than virtually any other natural health threat. Signs of a pandemic influenza
have emerged in Southeast Asia, as lethal infections of poultry and humans
with avian influenza virus continue. The current virus is now endemic
in bird populations, having spread to more than 40 countries and causing
the deaths of hundreds of millions of birds. Furthermore, the World Health
Organization reports that the number of avian flu cases in humans has
reached more than 370 cases in 14 countries.
In November 2005, the US government announced a USD 7.1 billion initiative
to prevent and prepare for a pandemic influenza outbreak. In January 2007,
Iomai entered into a USD 128 million contract with the US government to
develop a dose-sparing patch for use with a pandemic influenza vaccine.
About Japanese Encephalitis:
With over three billion people living in endemic areas, Japanese Encephalitis,
a mosquito-borne flaviviral infection, is the leading cause of childhood
encephalitis and viral encephalitis in Asia. The Japanese Encephalitis
virus remains virulent in this region and has recently spread to countries
not previously affected.
About Intercell AG:
Intercell AG is a growing biotechnology company which focuses on the design
and development of novel vaccines for the prevention and treatment of
infectious diseases with substantial unmet medical need. The Company develops
antigens and adjuvants which are derived from its proprietary technology
platforms and has in-house GMP manufacturing capabilities. Based on these
technologies, Intercell has strategic partnerships with a number of global
pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, Merck & Co., Inc., Wyeth,
Sanofi Pasteur, Kirin, and the Statens Serum Institut.
The Company's leading product, a prophylactic vaccine against Japanese
Encephalitis, successfully concluded pivotal Phase III clinical trials
in 2006. The Market Authorization Application (MAA) in Europe as well
as the Biological License Application (BLA) with the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for the use of the vaccine to prevent Japanese Encephalitis
were submitted in December of 2007. The licensure application to TGA (Therapeutic
Goods Administration) in Australia was submitted in February of 2008.
The Company's broad development pipeline includes a partnered S. aureus
vaccine in Phase II, a therapeutic vaccine against Hepatitis C in Phase
II, a Pseudomonas vaccine in Phase II, a partnered Tuberculosis vaccine
(Phase I/II), and five products focused on infectious diseases in preclinical
development.
Intercell is listed on the Prime Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange under
the symbol "ICLL".
ISIN: AT0000612601
For more information on Intercell, please visit: http://www.intercell.com
About Iomai Corporation:
Iomai Corporation has approximately 110 employees and discovers and develops
vaccines and immune system stimulants, delivered via a novel, needle-free
technology called transcutaneous immunization (TCI). TCI, discovered by
researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, taps into the
unique benefits of a major group of antigen-presenting cells found in
the outer layers of the skin to generate an enhanced immune response.
Iomai is leveraging TCI to enhance the efficacy of existing vaccines,
develop new vaccines that are viable only through transcutaneous administration
and expand the global vaccine market. Iomai currently has four product
candidates in development: one to prevent traveler's diarrhea and three
targeting influenza and pandemic flu.
Iomai is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "IOMI".
For more information on Iomai, please visit: http://www.Iomai.com
Additional Information and Where to Find It:
In connection with the proposed transaction, Iomai Corporation will be
filing a proxy statement for its stockholders and other documents regarding
the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, IOMAI STOCKHOLDERS AND
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS
CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THE DOCUMENTS
WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND
IOMAI. Investors and stockholders may obtain copies of the proxy statement
and other relevant documents filed with the SEC by Iomai free of charge
at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and
stockholders may obtain copies of the proxy statement and other relevant
documents filed with the SEC by Iomai (when they are available) by going
to Iomai's Investor Relations page on its corporate website at http://www.iomai.com.
Iomai and its directors, executive officers and other members of management
may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Iomai's
stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding
Iomai's executive officers and directors, and their beneficial ownership
of Iomai's common stock as of March 26, 2008 is available in Iomai's proxy
statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed
with the SEC on April 4, 2008. Other information regarding the interests
of such potential participants in the proxy solicitation will be contained
in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the
SEC when they become available.
Forward Looking Statements for Intercell AG:
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain advance statements
concerning Intercell AG and its business. Such statements involve certain
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause
the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of
Intercell AG to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such advance statements. Intercell
AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not update
any advance statements contained herein as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Forward Looking Statements for Iomai Corporation:
Some matters discussed in this press release constitute "forward-looking
statements" that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements
include statements about the anticipated acquisition of Iomai by Intercell
and timing of and potential benefits of the anticipated acquisition; the
potential synergies between the combination of Iomai and Intercell's product
technologies; expectations regarding the timing of clinical trials and
product development; the ability of Iomai's adjuvant patches to provide
protective immune responses; the significance of clinical results described
in this press release; expectations that the clinical trial data from
a clinical trial will be sufficient to proceed with future clinical trials;
estimates of potential markets for Iomai's product candidates; the potential
for Iomai's product candidates to be lower cost or more effective for
specific patient populations; expectations that the characteristics of
Iomai's adjuvant patch for pandemic influenza would make the product ideal
for stockpile and rapid distribution; expectations that TCI technology
will enhance the efficacy of or replace or be an alternative to current
injected vaccines, expectations that TCI technology can facilitate development
of a broad range of vaccine products; and expectations for further collaboration
with Merck & Co., Inc. or any other potential collaborations. These
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking
statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others,
that the proposed acquisition does not close or that the companies may
be required to modify aspects of the transaction to achieve regulatory
approval; that prior to the closing of the acquisition, Iomai's business
suffers due to uncertainty; that the companies are unable to successfully
execute their integration strategies, or achieve planned synergies; that
future clinical trials may not replicate results seen in the trials described
in this press release; that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other
regulatory authorities may not concur with Iomai's analysis of the trial
results described in this press release; that Iomai may not be able to
enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in future clinical trials; that
Iomai may be unable to obtain the regulatory approvals or financing necessary
to conduct additional clinical trials; that competitors may develop products
that are safer, more effective, or more convenient to use; that future
clinical results may not support regulatory approval to commercialize
Iomai's product candidates, which will depend on the outcome of additional
clinical trials and analysis by regulatory authorities of data Iomai submits;
that development costs may exceed expectations; that Iomai may fail to
adequately protect its intellectual property or may be determined to infringe
on the intellectual property of others; and the risks identified under
the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Iomai cautions investors and others not to place
undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release. These statements speak only as of the date of this document and
we undertake no obligation to update or revise the statements. You are
encouraged to read Iomai's filings for a discussion of these and other
risks and uncertainties which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and are available at http://www.sec.gov.
SOURCE Iomai Corporation
CONTACT: Lucia Malfent, Head of Corporate
Communications of Intercell
AG, +43-1-20620-303, LMalfent@intercell.com; or Russell P. Wilson, SVP,
Chief
Financial Officer and General Counsel of Iomai Corporation, +1-301-556-4478,
investors@iomai.com; or Brian Reid of WeissComm Partners, Inc.,
+1-703-402-3626, breid@wcpglobal.com, for Iomai Corporation/
/Web site: http://www.Iomai.com
http://www.intercell.com /
(IOMI)
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