Bionor Pharma`s Hypothesis for Immune Activation Mediated by the C5 Region of HIV Presented at Scientific Conference

Findings Provide Further Support for the Rationale Behind Bionor Pharma`s Second HIV Vaccine, Vacc-C5

(Oslo, 5 April 2013)  Bionor Pharma ASA (OSE: BIONOR) today announced that their scientific work entitled “The C5 region of HIV-1 gp120 shares homology with the shared epitope of HLA-DRß1 and activates immune responses. Anti-C5 antibodies correlate with protection from HIV-1 disease progression”, carried out in collaboration with St. George’s University of London, will be presented at the Keystone Conference “Immune Activation in HIV Infection: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications”in Colorado, USA on 6 April.

The work will be presented by Pete Smith, PhD, St. George’s University of London, and will include data from collaboration with The Norwegian Institute of Public Health and The University of Maryland, USA.

These data support the concept behind Bionor Pharma`s vaccine candidate Vacc-C5, which is designed to induce antibodies to the C5 region (of gp120) of the virus to reduce the hyperactivation that eventually overwhelms the immune system of most HIV-infected individuals.

“Of all the possible causes of the immune hyperactivation that always precedes the development of AIDS, this is the only one that explains all aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease and as such it represents a potential Achilles heel of the virus that can be targeted by therapeutic vaccination” said Prof. Angus “Gus” Dalgleish*, St. George’s University of London.

*Prof. Dalgleish is member of Bionor Pharma`s Clinical Advisory Board.

Bionor Pharma ASA

Hilde Aalling Syvertsen,
-Director Communications & Corporate Affairs

Tel +47 23 01 09 60

About Bionor Pharma ASA
Bionor Pharma is a leading vaccine company, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The Company’s investment into developing therapeutic vaccines exceeds US$ 80 million, and the Company has secured funding for planned scientific and business related activities until mid 2014.
Bionor Pharma’s vaccines are based on a proprietary technology platform developed following more than two decades of research on peptides, and they are designed to safely stimulate the immune system to combat viral diseases.

HIV vaccines – foremost in development
The Company’s lead HIV candidate, Vacc-4x, has been investigated as a therapeutic vaccine in a large exploratory phase II randomized, multinational (USA and 4 European countries), double-blind, placebo-controlled study. This study showed a statistically significant reduction in viral load. Bionor Pharma`s second HIV vaccine candidate, Vacc-C5, is designed to induce antibodies that potentially can reduce the harmful hyperactivation of the immune system caused by HIV infection, which leads to AIDS.

Bionor Pharma is currently conducting three clinical studies:
1. Vacc-4x in combination with Celgene`s immune modulator Revlimid® (Lenalidomide), in patients who fail to regain a normal immune system despite having a well-controlled viral load on conventional HIV medication (antiretroviral therapy, ART). The researchers at four clinics in Germany will, in this placebo-controlled study, investigate whether Revlimid enhances the effect of Vacc-4x.
2. Reboosting with Vacc-4x in patients from the phase II study (USA and 4 European countries), to investigate whether this can result in a further reduction in viral load. Approximately 30-40 patients from the previous large phase II study with Vacc-4x will take part at 10 clinics.
3. Clinical phase I/II study with Vacc-C5, at Oslo University Hospital will investigate safety and efficacy, and whether this vaccine leads to increased formation of antibodies against HIV in humans.

Bionor Pharma is exploring the possibility of combining Vacc-4x and Vacc-C5 into one vaccine, Vacc-HIV, which as a therapeutic HIV vaccine can potentially contribute to a functional cure for HIV.

Vaccines for other viral diseases
The Company’s innovative technology platform is also well suited to develop vaccines for other viral diseases, including Influenza, HCV (Hepatitis C), CMV (Cytomegalovirus) and HPV (Human papillomavirus). The universal influenza vaccine (Vacc-Flu) is in preclinical phase of development.

More information about Bionor Pharma is available at www.bionorpharma.com.

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act).  Vacc-4x, Vacc-C5, Vacc-Flu, Vacc-HCV, Vacc-CMV  and Vacc-HPV are investigational treatments that have not been approved for marketing by any regulatory authority.