AVANT to Present At Bio-defense Conference.

Business Editor and Health/Medical Writers

NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--April 17, 2002

AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAN) announced today that Una S. Ryan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will present on April 30 at the BIO-Defense and Homeland Security Procurement Conference at the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City in Arlington, VA. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is hosting the event to link biotech companies with biodefense procurement officials and program managers from the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Ryan's presentation will give an overview of AVANT's relevant technologies with respect to the development of vaccines against biowarfare attacks, including AVANT's vectored technology to produce oral vaccines to protect against anthrax and plague. A copy of the presentation made by Dr. Ryan at this conference, in read-only format, may be viewed on our site on the World Wide Web, http://www.avantimmune.com, after Dr. Ryan's presentation.

AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of products that harness the human immune system to prevent and treat disease. The company is developing a broad portfolio of vaccines against viral and bacterial diseases, including single-dose oral vaccines aimed at protecting travelers from cholera, typhoid fever and other illnesses. In addition, the company is conducting clinical studies of a proprietary vaccine candidate for cholesterol management. AVANT further leverages the value of its technology portfolio through corporate partnerships. Current collaborations encompass the development of an oral human rotavirus vaccine, vaccines to combat threats of biological warfare, and vaccines addressed to human food safety and animal health.

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. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely 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 ability to successfully complete development and commercialization of products, including the cost, timing, scope and results of preclinical and clinical testing; (2) the ability to successfully complete product research and further development, including animal, pre-clinical and clinical studies, and the adaptation of our attenuated vaccine technology to different infectious diseases; (3) the ability of the Company to manage multiple late stage clinical trials for a variety of product candidates; (4) the volume and profitability of product sales of Megan(R)Vac 1 and other future products; (5) changes in existing and potential relationships with corporate collaborators; (6) the cost, delivery and quality of clinical and commercial grade materials supplied by contract manufacturers (7) the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; (8) the ability to obtain substantial additional funding; (9) the ability to develop and commercialize products before competitors; (10) the integration of Megan Health's business and programs; (11) the ability to retain certain members of management; and (12) other factors detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.