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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-08-025037.txt : 20080417
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-08-025037.hdr.sgml : 20080417
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080417154120
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-08-025037
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080415
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080417
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080417

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000744218
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				133191702
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15006
		FILM NUMBER:		08762138

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		119 FOURTH AVE
		CITY:			NEEDHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02494
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7814330771

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		119 FOURTH AVE
		CITY:			NEEDHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			021942725

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	T CELL SCIENCES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a08-11137_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>

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<body lang="EN-US">

<div>

<div style="border:none;border-top:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">

<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></strong></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO SECTION&nbsp;13 OR 15(d)&nbsp;OF</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported): <b>April&nbsp;15, 2008</b></font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Delaware</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0-15006</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">13-3191702</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other
  jurisdiction<br>
  of incorporation)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File
  Number)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer<br>
  Identification No.)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">119 Fourth Avenue</font></b></strong></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Needham,
Massachusetts 02494-2725</font></b></strong></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of
principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(781) 433-0771</font></b></strong></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s
telephone number, including area code)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box
below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="92%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:92.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written communications
  pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="92%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:92.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting material
  pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="92%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:92.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.9%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="92%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:92.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">

<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 1.01.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Entry into a Material Definitive
Agreement</font></b></p>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On
April&nbsp;16, 2008, Celldex Therapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. (&#147;Celldex&#148;), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of AVANT Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;), entered into a License and Development
Agreement (the &#147;License and Development Agreement&#148;) with Pfizer Vaccines, LLC (&#147;Pfizer
Vaccines&#148;).&#160; At the closing of the
transactions described in the License and Development Agreement, the Registrant
will enter into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Pfizer Vaccines (the &#147;Common
Stock Purchase Agreement&#148;).</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under
the License and Development Agreement, Celldex has granted to Pfizer Vaccines
an exclusive worldwide license to Celldex&#146;s therapeutic cancer vaccine
candidate, CDX-110, in Phase 2 development for the treatment of glioblastoma
multiforme (GBM).&#160; CDX-110, which has
been granted both Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), is an investigational immunotherapy that targets the
tumor-specific molecule EGFRvIII, a functional variant of the epidermal growth
factor receptor (EGFR), which is a protein that has been well validated as a
target for cancer therapy.&#160; The License and Development Agreement also
gives Pfizer Vaccines exclusive rights to the use of EGFRvIII vaccines in other
potential indications.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under
the License and Development Agreement, Pfizer Vaccines will make an upfront
payment to Celldex of $40 million and, through the Common Stock Purchase
Agreement, will purchase $10 million of the Registrant&#146;s common stock at a
price per share which represents a 25% premium to the average daily closing
price of the Registrant&#146;s common stock for the five trading days immediately
preceding April&nbsp;16, 2008.&#160; Further,
Pfizer Vaccine will fund all development costs for CDX-110 and other EGFRvIII
programs under the License and Development Agreement.&#160; Celldex is also eligible to receive milestone
payments exceeding $390 million for the successful development and
commercialization of CDX-110 and additional EGFRvIII vaccine products, as well
as double-digit royalties on any product sales.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
License and Development Agreement is subject to approval under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (as amended) and is
expected to close in the second quarter of 2008.&#160; The common stock purchase will close
simultaneously with the closing of the License and Development Agreement.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under
the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Registrant will grant to
Pfizer Vaccines piggyback registration rights, and demand registration rights
on Form&nbsp;S-3 (no more than twice during any twelve-month period in the case
of demand registration on Form&nbsp;S-3).&#160;
These registration rights would expire upon the earlier of the sale of
all of the common stock subject to those rights, or the fifth anniversary of
the date of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, and are not assignable by
Pfizer Vaccines except to an affiliate of Pfizer Vaccines.&#160; Pfizer Vaccines has agreed to refrain from
selling the shares of common stock purchased under the Common Stock Purchase
Agreement for one year after signing the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, provided
that it can sell up to 10% of such shares of common stock during any rolling
90-day </font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">period
from and after the six-month anniversary of the signing of that agreement.&#160; Pfizer Vaccines will also be subject to a
limited standstill agreement with the Registrant for a period of 18-months
following the signing of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In
connection with the License and Development Agreement, Celldex also entered
into agreements amending its existing license agreements with Duke University
and Thomas Jefferson University relating to license and other rights to
Celldex&#146;s vaccines, as well as milestone and royalty payments.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
Registrant and Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc., an affiliate of Pfizer Vaccines, have a
pre-existing business relationship apart from the License and Development
Agreement.&#160; In connection with the
Registrant&#146;s acquisition of Megan Health in 2000, the Registrant entered into a
licensing agreement with Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc. whereby Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc. licensed
Megan Health&#146;s technology for the development of animal health and food safety
vaccines. Upon execution of the agreement, Pfizer made an initial license
payment of $2.5 million together with a $3 million equity investment.&#160; In December&nbsp;2002, the Registrant
received a milestone payment of $500,000 from Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc. as a result of
the submission of an application with the USDA for licensure of a food safety
vaccine. Under the Megan Health agreement with Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc., the
Registrant may receive additional milestone payments of up to $3 million based
upon attainment of specified milestones.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On
April&nbsp;16, 2008, the Registrant issued a press release concerning the
transaction with Pfizer Vaccines, a copy of which is attached hereto as <u>Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</u>.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item
3.02.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Unregistered Sales of
Equity Securities</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On
the effective date of the transactions described in the License and Development
Agreement, the Registrant will enter into the Common Stock Purchase Agreement
with Pfizer Vaccines, whereby the Registrant will sell 780,944 shares of the
Registrant&#146;s common stock, at a price per share of $12.81, to Pfizer Vaccines,
for aggregate cash consideration to the Registrant of $10,000,000.&#160; The sale of the shares of common stock will
not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933.&#160; Rather, the offer of such shares was, and
sale of such shares will be, made in reliance on the exemption from
registration requirements provided by Section&nbsp;4(2)&nbsp;of the Securities
Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.&#160;
Pfizer Vaccines is &#147;accredited&#148; (as defined under Regulation D) and no
general solicitation was or is being used in connection with the offer and sale
of such securities.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item
8.01.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Other Events</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On
April&nbsp;15, 2008, the Registrant issued a press release concerning certain
data with respect to a Phase 2 ACT II study with respect to its CDX-110
product, a copy of which is attached hereto as <u>Exhibit&nbsp;99.2</u>.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item
9.01.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Financial Statements
and Exhibits</font></b></strong></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.26%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Exhibit</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.08%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Description</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="10%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.26%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press
  Release issued April&nbsp;16, 2008.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.26%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.2</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press
  Release issued April&nbsp;15, 2008</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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<div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURE</font></b></strong></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="34%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:34.98%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="17%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:17.1%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:52.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT
  IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.</font></b></strong></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:52.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:52.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:
  April&nbsp;17, 2008</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
  Avery W. Catlin</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Avery
  W. Catlin</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.92%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:48.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:
  Senior Vice President and<br>
  Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="358" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="30" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="232" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="128" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
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</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a08-11137_1ex99d1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
<TEXT>

<html>

<head>





</head>

<body lang="EN-US">

<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For
Immediate Release: April&nbsp;16, 2008</font></u></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pfizer Media Contact</font></b>:</p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">AVANT Investor Contact:</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Shreya Jani</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Una Ryan</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(212) 733-4889</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">President and CEO</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(781) 433-0771</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pfizer Investor Contact</font></b>:</p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jennifer
  Davis</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ronald C. Newbold</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(212) 733-0717</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SVP, Business Development</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(908) 454-7120&nbsp; x312</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">AVANT Media Contact:</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dan Budwick</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">BMC Communications</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
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  <td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:43.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="25%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:25.72%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(212) 477-9007 x14</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 3.0in;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PFIZER AND AVANT ENTER INTO LICENSING AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT <br>
FOR NOVEL THERAPEUTIC VACCINE CANDIDATE FOR BRAIN CANCER</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">NEW
YORK and NEEDHAM, MA (April&nbsp;16, 2008) &#150; Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and
AVANT Immunotherapeutics (Nasdaq:
AVAN), acting through its wholly-owned subsidiary Celldex Therapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. today
announced that they have entered into an agreement under which Pfizer will be
granted an exclusive worldwide license to a therapeutic cancer vaccine
candidate, CDX-110, in Phase 2 development for the treatment of glioblastoma
multiforme (GBM).&#160; This agreement also gives Pfizer exclusive
rights to the use of EGFRvIII vaccines in other potential indications.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CDX-110,
which has been granted both Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is an investigational immunotherapy that
targets the tumor-specific molecule EGFRvIII, a functional variant of the
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is a protein that has been well
validated as a target for cancer therapy in certain tumor types.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">EGFRvIII
is only expressed in cancer cells and not in normal tissue and is a transforming
oncogene that can directly </font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">contribute
to cancer cell growth, as it does in about 40 percent of GBM tumors.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;We
are excited about the potential for CDX-110 and intend to partner with AVANT
and academic physician-scientists to investigate this novel vaccine candidate
with the hope of providing patients and doctors with a new treatment option for
this devastating disease,&#148; said Dr.&nbsp;Briggs Morrison, Senior Vice President
for Clinical Development at Pfizer.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under
the licensing and development agreement, Pfizer will make an upfront payment to
AVANT of $40 million and will make a $10 million equity investment in AVANT.
Pfizer will fund all development costs for these programs. AVANT is also
eligible to receive milestone payments exceeding $390 million for the
successful development and commercialization of CDX-110 and additional EGFRvIII
vaccine products, as well as double-digit royalties on any product sales.&nbsp;
The agreement is subject to approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976 (as amended) and is expected to close in the second
quarter of 2008.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;</font>This partnership
advances the therapeutic potential for CDX-110, particularly for patients with
GBM.&#160; We are very pleased to initiate
this relationship to expand our clinical development activities for GBM and
toward other cancers,&#148; said Ron Newbold, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Business Development
of AVANT Immunotherapeutics.&#160; Una Ryan,
CEO of AVANT, added, &#147;We see this as an important milestone for the immunotherapy
field, and we look forward to Pfizer&#146;s commitment to help even more cancer
patients in the future.&#148;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CDX-110
is designed to induce or enhance the body&#146;s immune responses against EGFRvIII
resulting in destruction of tumor cells that express the variant receptor.&#160; Early efficacy and </font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">safety
data from single arm Phase 2 clinical trials of CDX-110 in combination with the
current standard treatment for patients with GBM are very encouraging.&#160; Progression-free survival and overall
survival data from these trials compare very favorably with historical control
data.&#160; A randomized Phase 2 trial is
ongoing.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">GBM
is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain tumor, with very poor
prognosis.&#160; There are an estimated 10,000
new cases of GBM annually in the United States, which predominantly affects
adults aged 45 to 70. The current standard treatment for patients with GBM
includes surgical resection, radiotherapy with concurrent temozolomide and then
adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h3 style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">About Pfizer Inc</font></b></h3>

<h3 style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal;">&nbsp;</font></b></h3>

<h3 style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal;">Pfizer discovers and develops
innovative medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and
animals.&#160; We also partner with healthcare
providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access
to our medicines and to provide better quality healthcare and health system
support.</font></b></h3>

<h3 style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></h3>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About
AVANT Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT
Immunotherapeutics and Celldex Therapeutics combined during the first quarter
of 2008.&#160; AVANT is a NASDAQ-listed
company discovering and developing innovative vaccines and targeted
immunotherapeutics for the treatment of cancer, infectious and inflammatory
diseases. AVANT focuses on the use of tumor-specific targets and human
monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to precisely deliver therapeutic agents through
its novel &#147;targeted immunization&#148; approach. In addition, AVANT is exploiting
its access to proprietary human antibody technology for development of
therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).&#160;
AVANT&#146;s deep product pipeline consists of products in varying stages of
development. Identification of the potential of EGFRvIII in </font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">cancer
diagnosis, prevention and therapy was based on the collaborative efforts of Dr.&nbsp;Bert
Vogelstein and Dr.&nbsp;Albert Wong at Johns Hopkins University and Dr.&nbsp;Darell
Bigner at Duke University.&#160; Application
of this discovery toward the development of the CDX-110 vaccine was further
advanced by Dr.&nbsp;John Sampson and his colleagues at the Duke University
Brain Tumor Center in collaboration with Dr.&nbsp;Amy Heimberger at the MD
Anderson Cancer Center.&#160; AVANT also has
several product candidates in its development pipeline including:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>CDX-1307,
a product based on its proprietary APC Targeting Technology<sup>&#153;</sup>, which
is in two Phase 1 clinical trials for patients with advanced pancreatic,
bladder, breast and colon cancer;</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>TP10,
a complement inhibitor, in development for transplantation and other
indications; and</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Three
candidates based on its oral, rapidly-protecting, single-dose and
temperature-stable vaccine technology, including combination vaccines for
travelers, the military and global health needs.</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT has three commercialized products, including Rotarix&#174; (partnered
with GSK) for the prevention of rotavirus infection and two human food safety
vaccines for reducing salmonella infection in chickens and eggs. Additional
information on AVANT Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. can be obtained through its
web site http://www.avantimmune.com.</font></p>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For
more information on Pfizer or AVANT please visit www.pfizer.com or
www.avantimmune.com</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;"># # # # #</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">PFIZER
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of April&nbsp;16,
2008. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or
developments.</font></i></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">This
release contains forward-looking information about a license agreement between
Pfizer Inc. and AVANT Immunotherapeutics relating to a therapeutic cancer
vaccine candidate, CDX-110, and other potential vaccines and the potential
benefits thereof. This information involves substantial risks and uncertainties
including, among other things, the satisfaction of the condition to closing the
agreement; the uncertainties inherent in research and development activities;
decisions by regulatory authorities regarding whether and when to approve any
drug applications that may be filed for CDX-110 and other potential vaccines as
well as their decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could affect
the availability or commercial potential thereof; and competitive developments.</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">A
further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer&#146;s
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2007 and in its reports on Form&nbsp;10-Q and Form&nbsp;8-K.</font></i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">AVANT
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995:<b>  </b>This release
includes forward-looking statements that are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties and reflect AVANT&#146;s current views with respect to future events
and financial performance.&#160; There are a
number of important factors that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by
AVANT.&#160; These factors include, but are
not limited to: (1)&nbsp;the successful integration of the business post-merger,
multiple technologies and programs; (2)&nbsp;the ability to adopt AVANT&#146;s APC
Targeting Technology<sup>TM</sup> to develop new, safe and effective vaccines
against oncology and infectious disease indications; (3)&nbsp;the ability to
adapt AVANT&#146;s vectoring systems to develop new, safe and effective orally
administered vaccines against disease causing agents; (4)&nbsp;the ability to
successfully complete product research and further development, including
animal, pre-clinical and clinical studies, and commercialization of CDX-110,
CDX-1307, CholeraGarde&#174; (Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine, and other
products and AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding market growth; (5)&nbsp;the cost,
timing, scope and results of ongoing safety and efficacy trials of CDX-110,
CDX-1307, CholeraGarde&#174; (Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine and other
preclinical and clinical testing; (6)&nbsp;the ability to negotiate strategic
partnerships or other disposition transactions for AVANT&#146;s cardiovascular
programs, including TP10 and CETi; (7)&nbsp;the ability of AVANT to manage
multiple clinical trials for a variety of product candidates; </font></i><i>(8)&nbsp;the volume and
profitability of product sales of Megan<sup>&#174;</sup>Vac 1, Megan<sup>&#174;</sup>Egg
and other future products; (9)&nbsp;the process of obtaining regulatory
approval for the sale of Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup> in major commercial markets, as
well as the timing and success of worldwide commercialization of Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup>
by our partner, GlaxoSmithKline or Glaxo; (10)&nbsp;Glaxo&#146;s strategy and
business plans to launch and supply Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup> worldwide, including in
the U.S. and other major markets and its payment of royalties to AVANT; </i><i>(11) AVANT&#146;s expectations
regarding its technological capabilities and expanding its focus to broader
markets for vaccines; (12) changes in existing and potential relationships with
corporate collaborators; (13) the availability, cost, delivery and quality of
clinical and commercial grade materials produced at AVANT&#146;s own manufacturing
facility or supplied by contract manufacturers and partners; (14) the timing,
cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; (15) AVANT&#146;s ability to
develop and commercialize products before competitors that are superior to the
alternatives developed by </i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">such
competitors; (16) AVANT&#146;s ability to retain certain members of management;(17)
AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding research and development expenses and general
and administrative expenses; (18) AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding cash balances,
capital requirements, anticipated royalty payments (including those from Paul
Royalty Fund), revenues and expenses, including infrastructure expenses; </font></i><i>(19)&nbsp;the ability to
obtain substantial additional funding; </i><i>(20) AVANT&#146;s belief regarding the validity of our patents and potential
litigation;(21) Pfizer&#146;s and our strategy and business plans concerning the
continued development and commercialization of CDX-110; and (22) certain other
factors that might cause AVANT&#146;s actual results to differ materially from those
in the forward-looking statements including those set forth under the headings &#147;Business,&#148;
&#147;Risk Factors&#148; and Management&#146;s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations&#148; in each of AVANT&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K,
its current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K, as well as those described in AVANT&#146;s
other press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
from time to time.&#160; You should carefully
review all of these factors, and you should be aware that there may be other
factors that could cause these differences.&#160;
These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans and
estimates at the date of this press release, and AVANT does not promise to
update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying
assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes.</i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;99.2</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h1 style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/April&nbsp;15,
2008</font></b></h1>

<h1 style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></h1>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Una S. Ryan, Ph.D.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Avery W. Catlin</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">For Media:</font></u></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">President and CEO</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Daniel Budwick</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT
  Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT
  Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">BMC Communications Group</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(781) 433-0771</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(781) 433-0771</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(212) 477-9007</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">info@avantimmune.com</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">dbudwick@bmccommunications.com</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Significant Tumor-Specific Immune Response<br>
Observed in AVANT&#146;s Phase 2 Trial Evaluating<br>
CDX-110 with Temozolomide for Treatment of<br>
Glioblastoma Multiforme</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">- New Data Subject of Late-Breaking Presentation at
American Association<br>
for Cancer Research Meeting -</font></i></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">NEEDHAM, MA (April&nbsp;15, 2008):</font></b> Celldex Therapeutics (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Nasdaq: AVAN) announced today that new
data from the Phase 2 ACT II study in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) suggest
that temozolomide, the standard chemotherapy agent for this disease, may
potentiate the effect of AVANT&#146;s vaccine candidate CDX-110. These data were
presented in a late-breaking presentation at the annual meeting of the American
Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in San Diego, California.</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">All
patients vaccinated with CDX-110 in the Phase 2a ACT II extension study showed
a tumor-specific immune response, a significant improvement over previous
vaccines and over CDX-110 alone. Patients vaccinated in conjunction with the
daily temozolomide (TMZ) dose had a statistically significant increase in
anti-EGFRvIII antibody titers (<i>P</i>=0.028)
compared to patients that received the standard 200 mg/m<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;dose
of TMZ. In addition, the Delayed Type Hypersensitivity response (DTH) following
vaccination was also greater in the patients receiving the continuous 21 day
TMZ dose (<i>P</i>=0.05). Early Time to Progression (TTP)
and Overall Survival (OS) data also look very promising. Contrary to
conventional scientific expectation, these data suggest that chemotherapy
enhances the induction of a vaccine specific immune response, and that daily
chemotherapy may further enhance the vaccine&#146;s effect.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;These
fascinating results may represent a new paradigm in tumor vaccine therapy,&#148;
said John Sampson, M.D., a Neurosurgeon at Duke University and the lead
investigator of the study. &#147;If we can combine the tumor killing effect of
chemotherapy with an enhanced effect from tumor specific immunotherapy, we may
be entering a new era for GBM treatment.&#148; Tom Davis, AVANT&#146;s Chief Medical
Officer, added, &#147;We are very pleased to see ongoing data confirm our belief
that CDX-110 plus TMZ may improve the prognosis for patients with GBM and
expect to </font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">present
survival data from this study at ASCO in June. We also eagerly await the data
from AVANT&#146;s currently enrolling randomized Phase 2b/3 study, ACT III, which is
designed to confirm the Phase 2a results.&#148;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h2 style="font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Study</font></i></b></h2>

<h2 style="font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></i></b></h2>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dr.&nbsp;John
Sampson and colleagues have previously generated data in the Phase 2a ACTIVATE
study suggesting that the CDX-110 vaccine given alone in the adjuvant setting
could lead to a doubling of survival in patients with newly diagnosed, resected
GBM that expresses EGFRvIII, a proprietary tumor specific variant of the EGFR
protein. Traditional scientific thought would suggest that chemotherapy,
particularly if given daily, would undermine the effect of a vaccine. Based
upon preclinical data suggesting that temozolomide (TMZ), a standard treatment
for GBM, might actually improve the effect of CDX-110, Dr.&nbsp;Sampson
enrolled 21 patients in the ACT II study. Patients received CDX-110 along with
adjuvant temozolomide on either a monthly or daily regimen, and were followed
for immune responses, Time to Progression (TTP) and Overall Survival (OS).</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About
the CDX-110 Vaccine</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CDX-110
is an investigational immunotherapy that targets the tumor specific molecule
EGFRvIII, a functional variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which
is a protein that has been well validated as a target for cancer therapy. This
particular variant, EGFRvIII, was discovered in a collaborative effort between Dr.&nbsp;Bert
Vogelstein and Dr Albert Wong at Johns Hopkins University and Dr.&nbsp;Darell
Bigner at Duke University. Unlike EGFR, EGFRvIII is not present in normal
tissues, suggesting this target will enable the development of a tumor-specific
therapy for cancer patients. Furthermore, EGFRvIII is a transforming oncogene
that can directly contribute to cancer cell growth. While originally discovered
in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive form of brain
cancer, the expression of EGFRvIII has also been observed in various other
cancers such as breast, ovarian, metastatic prostate, colorectal, and head&nbsp;&amp;
neck malignancies. AVANT has exclusive worldwide rights to EGFRvIII vaccines
and is pursuing the development of CDX-110 for GBM therapy, as well as in other
cancers through additional clinical studies.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About
AVANT Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT
Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. is a NASDAQ-listed company discovering and
developing innovative vaccines and targeted immunotherapeutics for the
treatment of cancer, infectious and inflammatory diseases. AVANT and Celldex
Therapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. combined in the first quarter of 2008. AVANT focuses on
the use of tumor-specific targets and human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to
precisely deliver therapeutic agents through its novel &#147;targeted immunization&#148;
approach. In addition, AVANT is also exploiting its access to proprietary human
antibody technology for development of therapeutics monoclonal antibodies
(mAbs). AVANT&#146;s deep product pipeline consists of products in varying stages of
development, with its lead candidate, CDX-110, currently undergoing evaluation
in a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial in newly diagnosed</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">glioblastoma
multiforme, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. AVANT also has
several product candidates in its development pipeline including:</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>CDX-1307,
a product based on its proprietary APC Targeting Technology<sup>&#153;</sup>, which
is in two Phase 1 clinical trials for patients with advanced pancreatic,
bladder, breast and colon cancer;</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>TP10,
a complement inhibitor, in development for transplantation and other
indications; and</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Three
candidates based on its oral, rapidly-protecting, single-dose and
temperature-stable vaccine technology, including combination vaccines for
travelers, the military and global health needs.</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT has three commercialized products, including Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup>
(partnered with GSK) for the prevention of rotavirus infection and two human
food safety vaccines for reducing salmonella infection in chickens and eggs.
Additional information on AVANT Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. can be obtained
through its website at www.avantimmune.com.</font></p>

<p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: </font></i></b><i>This
release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to a variety of
risks and uncertainties and reflect AVANT&#146;s current views with respect to
future events and financial performance.&#160;
There are a number of important factors that could cause the actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statement made by AVANT.&#160; These factors
include, but are not limited to: (1)&nbsp;the successful integration of the
business post-merger, multiple technologies and programs; (2)&nbsp;the ability
to adopt AVANT&#146;s APC Targeting Technology<sup>TM</sup> to develop new, safe and
effective vaccines against oncology and infectious disease indications; (3)&nbsp;the
ability to adapt AVANT&#146;s vectoring systems to develop new, safe and effective
orally administered vaccines against disease causing agents; (4)&nbsp;the
ability to successfully complete product research and further development,
including animal, pre-clinical and clinical studies, and commercialization of
CDX-110, CDX-1307, CholeraGarde&#174; (Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine, and
other products and AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding market growth; (5)&nbsp;the
cost, timing, scope and results of ongoing safety and efficacy trials of CDX-110,
CDX-1307, CholeraGarde&#174; (Peru-15), Ty800, ETEC E. coli vaccine and other
preclinical and clinical testing; (6)&nbsp;the ability to negotiate strategic
partnerships or other disposition transactions for AVANT&#146;s cardiovascular
programs, including TP10 and CETi; (7)&nbsp;the ability of AVANT to manage
multiple clinical trials for a variety of product candidates; </i><i>(8)&nbsp;the volume and
profitability of product sales of Megan<sup>&#174;</sup>Vac 1, Megan<sup>&#174;</sup>Egg
and other future products; (9)&nbsp;the process of obtaining regulatory
approval for the sale of Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup> in major commercial markets, as
well as the timing and success of worldwide commercialization of Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup>
by our partner, GlaxoSmithKline or Glaxo; (10)&nbsp;Glaxo&#146;s strategy and
business plans to launch and supply Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup> worldwide, including in
the U.S. and other major markets and its payment of royalties to AVANT; </i><i>(11) AVANT&#146;s expectations
regarding its technological capabilities and expanding its focus to broader
markets for vaccines; (12) changes in existing and potential relationships with
corporate collaborators; (13) the availability, cost, delivery and quality of
clinical and commercial grade materials produced at AVANT&#146;s own manufacturing
facility or supplied by contract manufacturers and partners; (14) the timing,
cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; (15) AVANT&#146;s ability to
develop and commercialize products before competitors that are superior to the
alternatives developed by such competitors; (16) AVANT&#146;s ability to retain
certain members of management;(17) AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding research and
development expenses and general and administrative expenses; (18) AVANT&#146;s
expectations </i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&nbsp;</font></i></p>

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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">&nbsp;</font></i></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">regarding
cash balances, capital requirements, anticipated royalty payments (including
those from Paul Royalty Fund), revenues and expenses, including infrastructure
expenses; </font></i><i>(19)&nbsp;the ability to obtain substantial additional
funding; </i><i>(20)AVANT&#146;s
belief regarding the validity of our patents and potential litigation; and (21)
certain other factors that might cause AVANT&#146;s actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those set
forth under the headings &#147;Business,&#148; &#147;Risk Factors&#148; and Management&#146;s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations&#148; in each of AVANT&#146;s
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K, its current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K, as well
as those described in AVANT&#146;s other press releases and filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time.&#160; You should carefully review all of these
factors, and you should be aware that there may be other factors that could
cause these differences.&#160; These
forward-looking statements were based on information, plans and estimates at
the date of this press release, and AVANT does not promise to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or
factors, new information, future events or other changes.</i></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

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