BOCA RATON, Fla., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Nabi (Nasdaq: NABI - news) announced today that it has initiated animal toxicity studies with Nabi® NicVAX(TM), a nicotine conjugate vaccine, in conjunction with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). If th

``The initiation of these animal toxicity studies is essential to the continued development of Nabi NicVAX and we are pleased that NIDA has chosen to participate with us in these studies and sponsor the ongoing animal testing,'' stated Dr. Robert Naso, Nabi Sr. Vice President. ``Results of animal model studies thus far have shown that Nabi NicVAX can induce high titers of nicotine-specific antibodies that reduce nicotine levels in the brains of rats, attenuate the development of nicotine dependence, prevent nicotine- induced blood pressure increases, and significantly reduce the hyperactivity induced in rats in response to nicotine injections.'' Nabi NicVAX has been designed to induce antibodies to nicotine that can bind to nicotine in the bloodstream. Antibody/nicotine complexes are too large to cross the blood brain barrier and as a result the nicotine is held in the blood until it is metabolized. Since the nicotine cannot reach the brain, it cannot stimulate the release of neurotransmitters and the tobacco user should conceptually receive less positive feedback from his use of tobacco. If Nabi NicVAX is successful in clinical trials, vaccination may prevent nicotine addiction in the new tobacco user. In the already addicted tobacco user who is trying to quit, vaccination may help prevent relapse into addiction. Nabi, a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, has a broad product portfolio and significant R&D capabilities focused on the development and commercialization of drugs that prevent and treat infectious and autoimmune diseases. Nabi currently has several clinical trials underway in these areas and has four marketed pharmaceutical products. Additional information may be obtained on the Company's website at: www.nabi.com. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. While these statements reflect the Company's best current judgment, they are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ significantly from the results projected herein due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the impact on the Company of current industry supply and demand factors and the supply of and demand for the Company's individual products; margin pressure on the Company's non-specific antibody product line; future sales growth prospects for its pharmaceutical products; the likelihood that any product in the research pipeline can receive regulatory approval in the U.S. or abroad or be successfully developed, manufactured and marketed; failure to receive licensure for the Boca Raton manufacturing facility; and dependence upon third parties to manufacture product. These factors are more fully discussed in the Company's most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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