Univax Biologicals Inc. announced Monday that Phase I clinicaltrials have demonstrated that its vaccine for treating thePseudomonas aeruginosa infections is capable of elicitingopsonic antibodies in healthy volunteers that react againstmucoid strains of Psuedomonas aeruginosa, which is common topatients with cystic fibrosis.

W. Scott Harkonen, the company's vice president of clinical andregulatory affairs, presented the data on Sunday at the SixthAnnual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, held inWashington, D.C.

The Rockville, Md., company (NASDAQ:UNVX) is vaccinatinghealthy, non-CF volunteers with mucoid strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa. These volunteers produce antibodiesto the bacteria's mucoid exopolysaccharide coating. Univax thenintends to administer these hyperimmune immunoglobulins toCF patients "in an attempt to eradicate Pseudomonas from theirlungs," Harkonen said. This infection ultimately leads torespiratory failure and death, said Thomas Stagnaro, Univax'spresident and chief executive officer.

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