Active Biotech receives major new order for SBL Cholera Vaccine worth MSEK 11.5

10/25/2000 7:24 EST

Active Biotech receives major new order for SBL Cholera Vaccine worth MSEK
11.5

The authorities on the French island of Mayotte have decided that the
entire population should be vaccinated against cholera. The French
Ministry of Health has placed an order for immediate delivery of SBL
Cholera Vaccine worth MSEK 11.5.

The island of Mayotte is one of the Comoran isles off the east coast of
Africa, with approximately 125,000 permanent residents. The risk of a
cholera epidemic breaking out on the island increases with the onset of
the rainy season early in the new year. The authorities in Mayotte
therefore want the inhabitants to be vaccinated before then. As 98% of the
population are Muslim, oral vaccines must be taken before the end of
November/start of December when the month of Ramadan begins, during which
fasting is observed.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection with dramatic effects, occurring
primarily in Africa, Asia and South America. The disease is caused by the
Vibrio cholerae bacterium, which produces a toxin that causes severe
diarrhoea and usually vomiting. This can rapidly lead to death if no
treatment is given. Cholera is spread via contaminated water and food. In
1999, approximately 200,000 cases of cholera were reported to the World
Health Organisation (WHO), although actual figures are thought to be
considerably higher.

Active Biotech's drinkable cholera vaccine, SBL Cholera Vaccine, has been
recommended by WHO as the only vaccine on the market with a documented
effect against cholera.

SBL Cholera Vaccine is produced by Active Biotech in Sweden and is being
launched internationally in collaboration with the vaccine company Aventis
Pasteur.

Following rapid efforts by Active Biotech, a part delivery has been made
in October. The remainder will be supplied within the next few weeks.

Lund 24 October 2000

Active Biotech AB (publ)
Sven Andréasson
President & CEO

ive Biotech AB is a Swedish biotechnology company focused on the research
and development of
rmaceuticals and vaccines, the core competence being knowledge of the
human immune system. Active
tech has a high quality project portfolio and financial strength.
Important products and projects include
oral, SBL Cholera Vaccine, a vaccine against traveller's diarrhoea (ETEC),
innovative drugs against MS
IK) and cancer (TTS). The turnover of Active Biotech was SEK 267 million
in 1999.

Active Biotech AB
Box 724, S-220 07 Lund, Sweden
Tel +46 46-19 20 00
Fax +46 46 19 20 50
E-mail