AVANT Immunotherapeutics to Demand Immediate Delisting from Berlin-Bremen Stock Exchange.

NEEDHAM, Mass. -- AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAN) today announced that it is demanding an immediate delisting from the Berlin-Bremen Stock Exchange in an attempt to prevent trading practices that are banned in the United States.

AVANT recently learned that it was one of more than 200 U.S. companies added to the Berlin-Bremen Stock Exchange without its knowledge, consent or authorization. Media reports concerning other companies have indicated that some stock traders may attempt to use this exchange to manipulate stock prices. AVANT's management has instructed its counsel to request the immediate removal of AVANT's common stock from this exchange.

"We have no interest in trading on any exchange that might subject AVANT's common stock to manipulation, desiring only that our stock price reflects the true, intrinsic value of our business," said Una S. Ryan, AVANT President and Chief Executive Officer. "AVANT has accomplished several milestones in recent months that demonstrate the value inherent in our technology, products and business strategy. These include the recent product approval received by our partner GlaxoSmithKline for the marketing approval in Mexico of our rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix, as well as the continued support we have received from the U.S. Department of Defense for the development of our oral anthrax/plague vaccine candidate."

AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. discovers, develops and sells innovative vaccines and therapeutics that harness the human immune system to prevent and treat disease. The company has developed a broad, well-staged pipeline of vaccines and therapeutics for large, high-value, under-served markets. Six of AVANT's products are in clinical development. These include an oral human rotavirus vaccine, a treatment to reduce complement-mediated tissue damage associated with cardiac by-pass surgery, and a novel vaccine for cholesterol management. AVANT has also assembled a technology platform that enables the creation of rapidly-protecting, single-dose, oral vaccines that remain stable without refrigeration. The company is developing applications of this vaccine technology in four areas: biodefense, travelers' vaccines, global health needs, and human food safety. AVANT's goal is to demonstrate proof-of-concept for its products before leveraging further development through both traditional pharmaceutical partnerships and collaborations with governmental and other organizations.

Additional information on AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. can be obtained through our site on the World Wide Web: http://www.avantimmune.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements which reflect AVANT's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "project" and similar expressions which do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Investors should be cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the integration of multiple technologies and programs; (2) the ability to adapt AVANT's vectoring systems to develop new, safe and effective orally administered vaccines against anthrax and plague or other bioterrorism threats or emerging health care threats; (3) the ability to successfully complete development and commercialization of TP10, CETi-1, CholeraGarde(TM) (Peru-15), Ty800 and other products; (4) the cost, timing, scope and results of ongoing safety and efficacy trials of TP10, CETi-1, CholeraGarde(TM) (Peru-15), Ty800 and other preclinical and clinical testing; (5) the ability to successfully complete product research and further development, including animal, pre-clinical and clinical studies of TP10, CETi-1, CholeraGarde(TM) (Peru-15), Ty800 and other products; (6) the ability of the Company to manage multiple late stage clinical trials for a variety of product candidates; (7) the volume and profitability of product sales of Megan(R)Vac 1 and other future products; (8) changes in existing and potential relationships with corporate collaborators; (9) the availability, cost, delivery and quality of clinical and commercial grade materials supplied by contract manufacturers; (10) the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals to use TP10, CETi-1, CholeraGarde(TM) (Peru-15) and Ty800, among other purposes, for adults undergoing cardiac surgery, to raise serum HDL cholesterol levels and to protect travelers and people in endemic regions from diarrhea causing diseases, respectively; (11) the ability to obtain substantial additional funding; (12) the ability to develop and commercialize products before competitors; (13) the ability to retain certain members of management; and (14) other factors detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update forward-looking statements.