"BiovaxID is not intended to replace existing therapies for this disease, but rather to complement them by stimulating the patient's immune system to recognize, seek out, and destroy residual cancer cells -- without collateral damage to normal cells."

BiovaxID is a premier example of a personalized targeted therapeutic. It stimulates the immune system to locate and destroy only cancerous B-cell lymphocytes without collateral damage to normal B-cell lymphocytes or to other cells. BiovaxID stimulates the production of anti-tumor antibodies and induces an immune response to cancerous B-lymphocytes, but not to normal B-lymphocytes. As an active immunotherapeutic, BiovaxID may also provide ongoing immunosurveillance for recurrent tumors.

BiovaxID is comprised of a tumor-derived protein (tumor-specific antigen) linked to KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a carrier protein) and administered with GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor). GM-CSF is commercially available for other indications. BiovaxID is administered as an outpatient treatment in the oncologist's office by means of a subcutaneous injection similar to an insulin shot.

By contrast, Rituxan* (rituximab) a passive immunotherapeutic consisting of a monoclonal antibody, must be administered intravenously. Rituxan is directed to an antigen (CD20) present on all B-lymphocytes. Accordingly, Rituxan promotes the elimination of both cancerous and normal B-lymphocytes bearing this antigen. Rituxan therapy is typically repeated as necessary, at intervals, in order to control the lymphoma. Annual sales for Rituxan are about $1.5 billion.

BiovaxID is produced using a hybridoma cell-line developed by Stanford University and licensed exclusively to Biovest. BiovaxID contains high-fidelity copies of the complete tumor-specific antigen unique to each patient and found exclusively on the surface of the malignant B-lymphocytes. These antigens are absent from normal B-lymphocytes and other cells. Competing technologies undergoing tests by Genitope and Favrille use recombinant techniques that produce copies of only a portion of the tumor-specific antigen. Biovest believes that a complete copy of the tumor-specific antigen results in higher rates of immune responses in patients, as well as more robust clinical outcomes, including molecular remissions.