Agenus : Final Study Results Show Significant Reduction In Malaria Cases

(RTTNews) - Agenus Inc. (AGEN) announced that final results from a large-scale Phase 3 study of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S, were published in The Lancet.

The study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction against malaria in children who received RTS,S followed by a booster shot of the vaccine at 18 months. RTS,S incorporates QS-21 Stimulon, Agenus' adjuvant designed to increase the immune response to antigens in vaccines.

The study results also showed that RTS,S reduced the number of cases of clinical malaria in young children (aged 5-17 months at first vaccination) by 36%, and in infants (aged 6-12 weeks) by 26% over an average follow-up period of 48 months.

This resulted in an average reduction of 1,774 cases of clinical malaria for every 1,000 children vaccinated (aged 5-17 months), and an average reduction of 983 cases of clinical malaria for every 1,000 infants vaccinated over an average 36-month follow-up. Children receiving the vaccine candidate but not a booster dose had lower rates of protection. The study showed that RTS,S averted even more cases of malaria in areas with higher transmission rates.

Agenus said it is eligible for a milestone payment upon approval of RTS,S and royalties from potential commercial sales. QS-21 Stimulon is being evaluated in more than 12 additional vaccine candidates.