Antigenics posts positive herpes drug study data

SALT LAKE CITY

Antigenics reported positive data Tuesday from an early stage clinical therapy trial to treat herpes simplex virus-2, the virus that causes genital herpes.

The trial was designed to evaluate a drug designated AG-707, which is designed to stimulate two types of T cells. Antigenics enrolled 35 patients in the trial. They received either AG-707, a combination of AG-707 and an adjuvant called QS-21, QS-21 alone, or a placebo.

An adjuvant is a compound designed to increase the effects of a second drug.

Antigenics said all seven evaluable patients who took the vaccine and adjuvant treatment showed a significant CD4+ T cell response to the virus. The company was able to evaluate the CD8+ T cell responses of eight patients who took that regimen, and five of them had a statistically significant response.

Patients were given three doses at two-week intervals. Antigenics said the most common side effect was pain at the site of injection.

In afternoon trading, shares of Antigenics Inc. rose 16 cents, or 20 percent, to 95 cents. The stock has traded between 60 cents and $3.11 over the last year.