NABI AWARDED PATENT FOR STAPHYLOCOCCAL ANTIGEN AND VACCINE

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals has been granted U.S. Patent No. 6,936,258, entitled "Staphylococcus Antigen and Vaccine" by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the composition of a strategically important glycoprotein-based antigen (GP-1) associated with three Staphylococcal strains: S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and S. hominis. These strains are part of the increasing problem of hospital-acquired infections.

The patent covers the following: the composition of the antigen, the use of the antigen as a vaccine, and the methods for obtaining and detecting the antigen. Nabi also currently holds a patent for another S. epidermidis antigen, PS-1, which covers the use of the antigen as a vaccine. The PS-1 antigen is found on approximately 80 percent of all S. epidermidis strains. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals initiated a Phase I clinical trial with this vaccine earlier in the year.