Vical Names Richard T. Kenney, M.D., Vice President of Clinical Development

Vical Names Richard T. Kenney, M.D., Vice President of Clinical Development


SAN DIEGO, Jan. 14, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq:VICL) today announced the appointment of Richard T. Kenney, M.D., as Vice President, Clinical Development.

Prior to joining Vical, Dr. Kenney held key positions in influenza and biodefense vaccine development at GSK Biologicals (formerly ID Biomedical) from 2005 to 2009, most recently as Senior Director of Global Clinical R&D, Vaccines for Viral Diseases. His initial role at ID Biomedical was Vice President, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs. From 2001 to 2005, he served as Vice President, Clinical Development and then as Vice President, Medical & Regulatory Affairs at IOMAI Corporation. Dr. Kenney advanced through several positions from 1995 to 2001 as a researcher/reviewer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Office of Vaccine Research and Review (OVRR). He simultaneously practiced internal medicine at Kaiser Permanente After Hours Care from 1988 to 2001.

After completing his residency in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Kenney pursued postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), completing a fellowship in infectious diseases, and then in molecular parasitology and tropical medicine. He received board certifications in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. He earned his M.D. degree at Harvard Medical School, and graduated with special honors from George Washington University. Dr. Kenney has authored or co-authored more than 50 scientific papers and book chapters, has received multiple awards, is a fellow in the American College of Physicians and in the Infectious Disease Society of America, and has been a member of several professional organizations including the American Federation for Medical Research and the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.

Vijay B. Samant, Vical's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted to welcome Rick to Vical's senior management team. His wealth of experience includes research, clinical, and regulatory aspects of infectious disease vaccines with the perspective of both public health and commercial environments. Rick's demonstrated contributions to advancing major development programs through licensure should enhance our existing capabilities as we approach commercialization of our lead product candidates."

About Vical

Vical researches and develops biopharmaceutical products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies for the prevention and treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases. Potential applications of the company's DNA delivery technology include DNA vaccines for infectious diseases or cancer, in which the expressed protein is an immunogen; cancer immunotherapeutics, in which the expressed protein is an immune system stimulant; and cardiovascular therapies, in which the expressed protein is an angiogenic growth factor. The company is developing certain infectious disease vaccines and cancer therapeutics internally. In addition, the company collaborates with major pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies that give it access to complementary technologies or greater resources. These strategic partnerships provide the company with mutually beneficial opportunities to expand its product pipeline and address significant unmet medical needs. Additional information on Vical is available at www.vical.com.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include statements about the company's focus, collaborative partners, product candidates, and developmental status. Risks and uncertainties include whether any product candidates will be shown to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials, the timing of clinical trials, whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market any product candidates, the dependence of the company on its collaborative partners, and additional risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the company's judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:  Vical Incorporated
          Alan R. Engbring
          (858) 646-1127
          www.vical.com

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