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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-08-032878.txt : 20080514
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-08-032878.hdr.sgml : 20080514
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080513181144
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-08-032878
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080507
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080514
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080513

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:		08828917

	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>a08-14372_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>

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<body lang="EN-US">

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

<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="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>May&nbsp;7, 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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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 .7pt 0in .7pt;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</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;">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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" 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>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425
under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" 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>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" 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>

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

<p align="center" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:center;"><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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item
5.02.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Departure of Directors
or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</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-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Una
S. Ryan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of AVANT
Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) has informed the Company&#146;s Board
of Directors of her intention to depart from the Company.&#160; The Company and Dr.&nbsp;Ryan are currently
in discussions concerning the terms of her separation.&#160; Following Dr.&nbsp;Ryan&#146;s departure, Anthony
S. Marucci, currently the Executive Vice President of the Company, will serve
as Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer on an interim
basis.&#160; The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee of the Board will commence a search process which will
include a review of internal and external candidates.&#160; The Company will issue the press release
attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 with respect to Dr.&nbsp;Ryan&#146;s departure.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;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="8%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:8.44%;">
  <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="4%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.98%;">
  <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="86%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:86.58%;">
  <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="8%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:8.44%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.98%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="86%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:86.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press
  Release issued May&nbsp;14, 2008.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><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;text-autospace:none;"><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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="51%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:51.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="51%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:51.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.34%;">
  <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 .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.5%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date: May&nbsp;13, 2008</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.5%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.34%;">
  <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 .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.5%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.34%;">
  <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 .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title: Senior Vice President and</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 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 99.1</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 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;">DR. UNA RYAN DEPARTS AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS</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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">May&nbsp;14,
2008, Needham, Mass</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">. &#151; AVANT Immunotherapeutics (NASDAQ: AVAN) today
announced the departure of Una Ryan, Ph.D, President and CEO, effective
immediately.&#160; Over the last fifteen
years, Dr.&nbsp;Ryan was instrumental in the development and partnering of
multiple products, including Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup></font><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#190;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">an oral vaccine partnered
with GlaxoSmithKline and recently approved by the FDA for protection against
rotavirus in infants.&#160; Anthony S.
Marucci, currently the Executive Vice President of the Company, will serve as
interim CEO until a permanent successor is announced.</font></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;">&#147;After
15 years, the time has come for me to move on,&#148; stated Dr.&nbsp;Ryan.&#160; &#147;The Company has a strong financial
foundation, and with the completed merger in March&nbsp;with Celldex
Therapeutics, has a deep pipeline of products and a combined management team
that can drive our company to success.&#160; I
am eager to take on my next professional challenge and look forward to
dedicating more time to my many activities outside of AVANT.&#148;</font></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;">Dr.&nbsp;Ryan
serves on the Boards of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, the
Biotechnology Industry Organization, the New England Healthcare Institute,
IQuum,&nbsp;Inc., Albany Molecular Research, Inc, the Board of Associates of
the Whitehead Institute, the Business Advisory Board of BIO Ventures for Global
Health, the Scientific Advisory Board of Genocea,&nbsp;Inc. and the UMASS High
Technology Executive Council.&#160; She is
also a member of the Strategy&nbsp;&amp; Policy Council of the MIT Center for
Biomedical Innovation and is a Research Professor of Medicine at Boston
University School of Medicine and serves on its Board of Visitors.</font></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;">&#147;Dr.&nbsp;Ryan
has been a visionary leader and was instrumental in combining the people and
product strengths of AVANT and Celldex to create a leading cancer and
infectious disease company leveraging breakthroughs in immunotherapeutics,&#148;
stated Charles R. Schaller, Chairman of the Board of AVANT.&#160; &#147;In light of the strength of the Company&#146;s
experienced executive team, as well as its strong financial position and deep
clinical pipeline, the Company does not anticipate material changes to its
strategic direction as a result of these events.&#148;</font></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;">The
Company and Dr.&nbsp;Ryan are currently in discussions concerning the terms of
her separation.&#160; The nominating and
corporate governance committee of the Board will commence a search process
which will include a review of internal and external candidates.</font></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;"><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,&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 focuses on the
use of tumor-specific targets and human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to precisely
deliver therapeutic </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 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;">agents
through its novel &#147;targeted immunization&#148; approach. AVANT also possesses
innovative bacterial vector delivery technologies with unique manufacturing and
preservation processes that offer the potential for a new generation of
infectious disease vaccines. AVANT&#146;s deep product pipeline consists of products
in varying stages of development, with its lead candidate, CDX-110, partnered
with Pfizer,&nbsp;Inc. (subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino approval), currently
undergoing evaluation in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial in newly diagnosed
glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
AVANT also has five product candidates in its development pipeline including:</font></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 .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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">TP10, a
complement inhibitor, in development for transplantation and other indications;
and</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT has three commercialized products, including Rotarix<sup>&#174;</sup>
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 site on the
World Wide Web:&#160;
http://www.avantimmune.com.</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;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">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 businesses, multiple technologies and programs of AVANT and
Celldex; (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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">(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; (11) </font></i><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Pfizer&#146;s
and our strategy and business plans concerning the continued development </font></i></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;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">and
commercialization of CDX-110</font></i><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">; </font></i><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">(12)
AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding its technological capabilities and expanding its
focus to broader markets for vaccines; (13) changes in existing and potential
relationships with corporate collaborators; (14) 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; (15) the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory
approvals, including Hart-Scott-Rodino approval of our license and development
agreement with Pfizer; (16) AVANT&#146;s ability to develop and commercialize
products before competitors that are superior to the alternatives developed by
such competitors; (17) AVANT&#146;s ability to retain certain members of
management;(18) AVANT&#146;s expectations regarding research and development
expenses and general and administrative expenses; (19) 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><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">(20)&nbsp;the
ability to obtain substantial additional funding; </font></i><i><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">(21)
AVANT&#146;s belief regarding the validity of our patents and potential litigation;
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.</font></i></p>

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