AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS INC
10-Q, 2000-07-28
IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES
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<PAGE>

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                       ---------------------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q



         [X]      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000


                                       OR

         [   ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         Commission file number: 0-15006

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              DELAWARE                               NO. 13-3191702
      (State of Incorporation)            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


              119 FOURTH AVENUE, NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02494-2725
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (781) 433-0771
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   X    No ___.
                                        ---

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common equity, as of the latest practicable date:

                                                           Shares Outstanding as
              Class                                          of July 25, 2000
    -----------------------------                            ----------------
    Common Stock, $.001 par value                              54,957,684



                        Exhibit index located on page 16
<PAGE>

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.

                                    FORM 10-Q

                           QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2000

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Page
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999................................3

    Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended
         June 30, 2000 and 1999......................................................................4

    Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Six Months Ended
         June 30, 2000 and 1999......................................................................5

    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended
         June 30, 2000 and 1999......................................................................6

    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................7

    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations..................................................................10


PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

    Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders....................................14

    Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
         (a)  Exhibits..............................................................................14
         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K...................................................................14

    Signatures......................................................................................16

    Index to Exhibits...............................................................................16
</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>

PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                       JUNE 30, 2000 AND DECEMBER 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        JUNE 30,            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          2000                  1999
=============================================================================================================
<S>                                                               <C>                   <C>
ASSETS                                                                 (unaudited)
Current Assets:
     Cash and Cash Equivalents                                    $     16,058,500      $     13,619,000
     Current Portion Lease Receivable                                      431,700               431,700
     Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets                             455,800               439,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Total Current Assets                                               16,946,000            14,489,700
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Property and Equipment, Net                                              1,072,600             1,256,800
Restricted Cash                                                                 --               217,000
Long-Term Lease Receivable                                                 179,900               395,700
Other Assets                                                             3,319,100             3,523,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Total Assets                                               $     21,517,600      $     19,882,700
=============================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
     Accounts Payable                                             $        256,400      $        575,300
     Accrued Expenses                                                      813,500             1,331,500
     Current Portion Deferred Revenue                                      615,400                    --
     Current Portion Lease Payable                                         293,700               293,700
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Total Current Liabilities                                           1,979,000             2,200,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Long-Term Deferred Revenue                                               2,769,200                    --
Long-Term Lease Payable                                                    118,900               269,200

Stockholders' Equity:
     Common Stock, $.001 Par Value; 75,000,000 Shares
       Authorized; 50,160,500 Issued and Outstanding at
       June 30, 2000 and 48,127,400 Issued and
       Outstanding at December 31, 1999                                     50,200                48,100
     Additional Paid-In Capital                                        154,793,000           150,710,300
     Accumulated Deficit                                              (138,192,700)         (133,345,400)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Total Stockholders' Equity                                         16,650,500            17,413,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                 $     21,517,600      $     19,882,700
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


      SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                       3
<PAGE>

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND 1999
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        JUNE 30,              JUNE 30,
                                                                          2000                  1999
=============================================================================================================

<S>                                                                   <C>                   <C>
OPERATING REVENUE:
Product Development and
   Licensing Agreements                                               $    153,900          $    847,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPERATING EXPENSE:
Research and Development                                                 1,962,700             1,820,800
General and Administrative                                               1,041,900             1,100,900
Amortization of Goodwill                                                   137,300               409,800
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Operating Expenses                                                 3,141,900             3,331,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Loss                                                          (2,988,000)           (2,483,600)

Non-Operating Income, Net                                                  264,100               127,400
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Loss                                                              $ (2,723,900)         $ (2,356,200)
=============================================================================================================


Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share                           $      (0.05)         $      (0.06)
=============================================================================================================


Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding                              50,099,100            42,529,600
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


      SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                       4
<PAGE>

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND 1999
                                   (UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        JUNE 30,              JUNE 30,
                                                                          2000                  1999
=============================================================================================================

<S>                                                                   <C>                   <C>
OPERATING REVENUE:
Product Development and
   Licensing Agreements                                               $    307,700          $  1,185,800
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPERATING EXPENSE:
Research and Development                                                 3,780,000             3,619,600
General and Administrative                                               2,144,300             2,163,000
Legal Settlements                                                         (500,000)                   --
Amortization of Goodwill                                                   274,600               819,600
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Operating Expenses                                                 5,698,900             6,602,200
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Loss                                                          (5,391,200)           (5,416,400)

Non-Operating Income, Net                                                  543,900               318,400
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Loss                                                              $ (4,847,300)         $ (5,098,000)
=============================================================================================================


Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share                           $      (0.10)         $      (0.12)
=============================================================================================================


Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding                              49,949,100            42,528,000
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


      SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                       5
<PAGE>

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND 1999
                                   (UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        JUNE 30,              JUNE 30,
                                                                          2000                  1999
=============================================================================================================

<S>                                                               <C>                   <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net Loss                                                     $    (4,847,300)      $    (5,098,000)
     Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash
       Used by Operating Activities:
          Depreciation and Amortization                                   621,300             1,072,000
     Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
       Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets                          (16,800)               63,400
       Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses                             (836,900)             (447,200)
       Deferred Revenue                                                 3,384,600              (500,000)
       Lease Receivable                                                   215,800               179,800
       Lease Payable                                                     (150,300)             (127,100)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Net Cash Used in Operating Activities                          (1,629,600)           (4,857,100)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Acquisition of Property and Equipment                                (87,800)             (580,400)
     Redemption of Marketable Securities                                       --             4,903,100
     Decrease in Restricted Cash                                          217,000                40,000
     Increase in Patents and Licenses                                    (144,900)              (99,600)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities               (15,700)            4,263,100
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Proceeds from the Exercise of Stock Options                        1,535,700                17,200
     Proceeds from the Exercise of Warrants                               241,400                    --
     Net Proceeds from Stock Issuance                                   2,307,700                   600
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                       4,084,800                17,800
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents                        2,439,500              (576,200)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period                       13,619,000             8,937,200
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period                        $    16,058,500       $     8,361,000
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


      SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                       6
<PAGE>

                         AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2000



(1)      NATURE OF BUSINESS

         AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. ("AVANT") is a biopharmaceutical company
engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of products that
harness the human immune response to prevent and treat disease. Our lead
therapeutic program is focused on compounds that inhibit the inappropriate
activity of the complement cascade, a vital part of the body's immune defense
system. AVANT is also developing on its own a proprietary therapeutic vaccine
for the management of atherosclerosis and Therapore(TM), a novel system for the
delivery of immunotherapeutics for chronic viral infections and certain cancers.
AVANT and its collaborators are developing vaccines using the proprietary
adjuvants, Adjumer(R) and Micromer(R), for the prevention of respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV), Lyme disease and several other vaccine targets. Through
additional collaboration, we are also developing an oral human rotavirus vaccine
and an oral cholera vaccine.

         The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Polmerix, Inc.
All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

(2)      INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for the
three months and six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 include the
consolidated accounts of AVANT and have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and with the instructions to Form 10-Q
and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the information
contained herein reflects all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring
adjustments, that are necessary to present fairly the financial positions at
June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999, the results of operations for the quarters
and six months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999, and the cash flows for the six
months ended June 30, 2000 and 1999. The results of operations for the quarter
and six months ended June 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of results for
any future interim period or for the full year.

         Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been omitted, although we believe that the disclosures included
are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited
consolidated financial statements and the notes included herein should be read
in conjunction with footnotes contained in AVANT's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999.

(3)      NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

         During April 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Financial Interpretation ("FIN") No. 44, "Accounting for Certain Transactions
Involving Stock Compensation - an Interpretation of Accounting Principles Board
("APB") No. 25. Among other issues, FIN 44 clarifies (a) the definition of an
employee, (b) criteria for determining whether a stock award plan qualifies as
non-compensatory, and (c) the accounting consequences of various award
modifications. This interpretation became effective July 1, 2000. We evaluated
the effects of FIN 44 on our financial position and results of operations and
have determined any such effects to be immaterial.

During June 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting
Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101B, an amendment to SAB 101, "Revenue Recognition in
Financial Statements." SAB 101B defers the


                                       7
<PAGE>

required implementation of SAB 101 until the fiscal quarter ended December 31,
2000. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, of SAB 101 on our
financial position and results of operations.

(4)      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

         Property and equipment includes the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   June 30,           December 31,
                                                                     2000                 1999
                                                            ===========================================

     <S>                                                          <C>                  <C>
     Laboratory Equipment                                         $  2,626,600         $  2,595,400
     Office Furniture and Equipment                                  1,232,500            1,176,800
     Leasehold Improvements                                            939,000              938,100
                                                            -------------------------------------------
     Property and Equipment, Total                                   4,798,100            4,710,300
     Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization                 (3,725,500)          (3,453,500)
                                                            -------------------------------------------
                                                                  $  1,072,600         $  1,256,800
                                                            ===========================================
</TABLE>

(5)      OTHER ASSETS

         Other assets include the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 June 30,            December 31,
                                                                   2000                  1999
                                                          ============================================
     <S>                                                       <C>                   <C>
     Capitalized Patent Costs                                  $   2,246,300         $   2,101,300
     Accumulated Amortization                                       (790,000)             (715,300)
                                                          --------------------------------------------

     Capitalized Patent Costs, Net                                 1,456,300             1,386,000
     Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net of
        Accumulated Amortization of $2,096,800
        and $1,822,200 at June 30, 2000 and
        December 31, 1999, respectively                            1,738,900             2,013,500
     Other Non Current Assets                                        124,000               124,000
                                                          --------------------------------------------
                                                               $   3,319,200         $   3,523,500
                                                          ============================================
</TABLE>

(6)      COMMON STOCK

         In July 1999, Novartis exercised its option to license TP10 for use in
the field of transplantation. The decision to license TP10 resulted in a $6
million payment by Novartis which was received by AVANT in January 2000. The
payment included an equity investment of $2,307,700 for 1,439,496 shares of our
common stock at $1.60 per share and a license fee of $3,692,300. We are
amortizing the license fee over twenty-four quarters, the projected development
period for the licensed field.

(7)      NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

         Consistent with SFAS 128, basic earnings (loss) per share amounts are
based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding
during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share amounts are based on the
weighted average number of shares of common stock and the potential common stock
outstanding during the period. We have excluded all of the potential common
stock shares from the calculation of diluted weighted average share amounts for
the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999 as its
inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

                                       8
<PAGE>

(8)      SUBSEQUENT EVENT

         On July 17, 2000, AVANT completed a private placement of approximately
4,650,000 shares of common stock to institutional investors at $7.85 per share.
Net proceeds from the offering totaled approximately $34,594,400


                                       9
<PAGE>

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995: STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING, ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, THAT ARE NOT
HISTORICAL FACTS MAY BE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO A VARIETY
OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD
CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED IN ANY
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE BY AVANT. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO: (i) OUR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE PRODUCT RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES, AND COMMERCIALIZATION;
(ii) OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING; (iii) OUR ABILITY TO
OBTAIN REQUIRED GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS; (iv) OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT
MANUFACTURING, SALES, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING PARTNERS AND OTHER STRATEGIC
ALLIANCES; AND (v) OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE OUR PRODUCTS BEFORE
OUR COMPETITORS.

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

         We are engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of
products that harness the human immune response to prevent and treat disease.
Our products derive from a broad set of complementary technologies with the
ability to inhibit the complement system, regulate T and B cell activity, and
enable the creation and delivery of preventative and therapeutic vaccines. We
are using these technologies to develop vaccines and immunotherapeutics that
prevent or treat disease caused by infectious organisms, and drugs and treatment
vaccines that modify undesirable activity by the body's own proteins or cells.

ACQUISITION

         On August 21, 1998, we acquired Virus Research Institute, Inc. ("VRI"),
a company engaged in the discovery and development of systems for the delivery
of vaccines and immunotherapeutics, and novel vaccines for adults and children.
AVANT issued 14,036,400 shares and warrants to purchase 1,811,200 shares of its
common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding common stock of VRI, on the
basis of 1.55 shares and .20 of a warrant to purchase one share of AVANT's
common stock for each share of VRI common stock. The acquisition has been
accounted for as a purchase. Consequently, the purchase price was allocated to
the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based upon their fair value at the
date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the tangible assets
acquired was assigned to collaborative relationships, work force and goodwill
and is being amortized on a straight line basis over 12 to 60 months. An
allocation of $44,630,000 was made to in-process research and development
("IPR&D") which represented purchased in-process technology which had not yet
reached technological feasibility and had no alternative future use. The amount
was charged as an expense in our financial statements during the third quarter
of 1998.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

         COMPLEMENT INHIBITORS: In 1997, we entered into an agreement with
Novartis relating to the development of TP10 for use in xenotransplantation
(animal organs into humans) and allotransplantation (human organs into humans).
We granted Novartis a two-year option to license TP10 with exclusive worldwide
marketing rights (except Japan) in the fields of xenotransplantation and
allotransplantation. In July 1999, Novartis exercised its option to license TP10
for use in the field of transplantation. In December 1999, the Novartis
agreement was amended to include marketing rights for Japan. The decision to
license TP10 resulted in a $6 million equity investment and license payment by
Novartis which was received by AVANT in January 2000. Under the agreement, we
may receive additional milestone payments of up to $14 million upon attainment
of certain development and regulatory goals. We will also be entitled to
royalties on product sales under the agreement.

         We have elected to independently develop and commercialize TP10 for
pediatric cardiac surgery. In September 1999, we initiated an open-label, Phase
I/II trial of TP10 in infants undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart
defects. The trial evaluated the ability of TP10 to mitigate the injury to the
heart and other organs that occurs when patients are placed on cardiopulmonary
bypass circuits. TP10 was


                                       10
<PAGE>

well tolerated in the study population and results of this Phase I/II trial were
presented at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting in
May 2000. In March 2000, we received orphan drug designation for TP10 in infants
undergoing cardiac surgery. We currently expect to initiate a pivotal trial in
this indication around the end of 2000. AVANT additionally plans to refine the
TP10 dosing regimen in additional infants prior to starting this pivotal study.

         We also plan to initiate Phase II trials for adult cardiac surgery
during the second half of 2000, with an expectation to partnering that program
when additional clinical data are available.

         ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATMENT VACCINE: We are developing a therapeutic
vaccine against endogenous cholesteryl ester transfer protein ("CETP") which may
be useful in reducing risks associated with atherosclerosis. CETP is a key
intermediary in the balance of HDL and LDL. We are developing a vaccine (CETi-1)
to stimulate an immune response against CETP which we believe may improve the
ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol and reduce the progression of atherosclerosis.
We have conducted preliminary studies of rabbits which have demonstrated the
ability of CETi-1 vaccine to elevate HDL and reduce the development of blood
vessel lesions. In June 1999, we initiated a double-blind placebo controlled,
Phase I clinical trial of our CETi-1 vaccine in adult volunteers. The object of
the study is to demonstrate the safety of single administrations of the vaccine
at four different dosage strengths. Patient enrollment in this Phase I trial was
completed in February 2000 and we expect to announce trial results in the fourth
quarter of 2000. We plan to initiate a Phase II study during the second half of
2000. As clinical data becomes available, we plan to seek a corporate partner to
complete development and to commercialize the vaccine.

         ROTAVIRUS VACCINE: Rotavirus is a major cause of diarrhea and vomiting
in infants and children. No vaccine against rotavirus is currently on the
market. In 1997, we licensed our oral rotavirus vaccine to SmithKline Beecham
plc ("SmithKline"). In 1999, after our Phase II study demonstrated 89%
protection in a study involving 215 infants, SmithKline paid us an additional
license fee and assumed full responsibility for funding and performing all
remaining clinical development. SmithKline has initiated Phase I/II bridging
studies in Europe using its newly manufactured rotavirus vaccine, called
Rotarix(TM), and is now planning to start Phase III safety and efficacy studies
in 2001 after review with health authorities. Assuming product development and
commercialization continues satisfactorily, SmithKline will pay us additional
milestones and a royalty based on sales.

         CHOLERA VACCINE: We are developing a single dose, oral cholera vaccine
using a live, genetically attenuated cholera strain. Based on this technology,
developed in academia, we have developed the vaccine through early Phase II
trials. We then negotiated a collaboration agreement under which a Phase IIb
trial will be performed and funded by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
("WRAIR") and the National Institutes of Health (the "NIH"). This trial, set to
begin in the second half of 2000, will test the safety, immunogenecity and
protective capacity of the vaccine against a challenge with live virulent
cholera. We will then determine our commercialization strategy with respect to
the cholera vaccine based on clinical data from the trial.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

               Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2000 as Compared
                 with the Three-month Period Ended June 30, 1999
               --------------------------------------------------

         AVANT reported consolidated net loss of $2,723,900, or $.05 per share,
for the second quarter ended June 30, 2000, compared with a net loss of
$2,356,200, or $.06 per share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 1999. The
weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate net loss per common
share was 50,099,100 in 2000 and 42,529,600 in 1999.

         OPERATING REVENUE: Total operating revenue decreased $694,000, or
81.8%, to $153,900 for the second quarter of 2000 compared to $847,900 for the
second quarter of 1999. This decrease is due primarily to differences in
amortization between quarterly periods of revenue recognized from license and
option payments received from Novartis in 2000 and 1999, respectively. During
the second quarter of 2000, AVANT recognized revenue from a Novartis license
payment which is being amortized over the


                                       11
<PAGE>

projected development period of the licensed field or twenty-four quarters.
During the second quarter of 1999, AVANT recognized revenue from a Novartis
one-year option payment which was amortized over the option term and a milestone
payment received from SmithKline Beecham.

         OPERATING EXPENSE: Total operating expense decreased $189,600, or 5.7%,
to $3,141,900 for the second quarter of 2000 compared to $3,331,500 for the
second quarter of 1999. The decrease in total operating expense is primarily due
to the reduction of goodwill amortization by $272,500 in the second quarter of
2000 compared with the same period last year due to certain acquired assets
having shorter useful lives. Research and development expense increased
$141,900, or 7.8%, to $1,962,700 for the second quarter of 2000 compared to
$1,820,800 for the second quarter of 1999. The increase in research and
development expense is primarily due to increased costs for clinical materials,
offset in part by lower consultant and personnel costs during the 2000 quarter.
General and administrative expense decreased $59,000, or 5.4%, to $1,041,900 for
the second quarter of 2000 compared to $1,100,900 for the second quarter of
1999. The decrease is primarily attributed to lower personnel costs in 2000.

         NON-OPERATING INCOME, NET: Non-operating income increased $136,700, or
107.3%, to $264,100 for the second quarter of 2000 compared to $127,400 for the
second quarter of 1999. The increase is primarily due to an increase in interest
income as a result of higher interest rates and higher average cash balances
during the second quarter of 2000 compared to the second quarter of 1999.


                Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2000 as Compared
                  With the Six-month Period Ended June 30, 1999
                ------------------------------------------------

         AVANT reported consolidated net loss of $4,847,300, or $.10 per share,
for the six months ended June 30, 2000, compared with a net loss of $5,098,000,
or $.12 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 1999. The weighted average
common shares outstanding used to calculate net loss per common share was
49,949,100 in 2000 and 42,528,000 in 1999.

         OPERATING REVENUE: Total operating revenue decreased $878,100, or
74.1%, to $307,700 for the first six months of 2000 compared to $1,185,800 for
the first six months of 1999. This decrease is due primarily to differences in
amortization of revenue recognized from license, option and milestone payments
from our collaborators between the comparable six-month periods. During the
first six months of 2000, AVANT recognized revenue from a Novartis license
payment which is being recognized over the projected development period of the
licensed field or twenty-four quarters. During the first six months of 1999,
AVANT recognized revenue from a Novartis one-year option payment which was
amortized over the option term and a milestone payment received from SmithKline
Beecham.

         OPERATING EXPENSE: Total operating expense decreased $903,300, or
13.7%, to $5,698,900 for the first six months of 2000 compared to $6,602,200 for
the first six months of 1999. The decrease in total operating expense is
primarily due to the receipt of legal settlement payments totaling $500,000 in
the first quarter of 2000 and the reduction of goodwill amortization by $545,000
in the first six months of 2000 compared with the same period last year due to
certain acquired assets having shorter useful lives. Research and development
expense increased $160,400, or 4.4%, to $3,780,000 for the first six months of
2000 compared to $3,619,600 for the first six months of 1999. The increase in
research and development expense is due to higher costs for clinical materials
and laboratory supplies, offset in part by lower consultant and personnel costs.
General and administrative expense decreased $18,700, or 0.9%, to $2,144,300 for
the first six months of 2000 compared to $2,163,000 for the first six months of
1999. The decrease is primarily attributed to lower personnel costs offset by
increased general and patent legal expenses combined with increased corporate
development and investor relations costs.

         NON-OPERATING INCOME, NET: Non-operating income increased $225,500, or
70.8%, to $543,900 for the first six months of 2000 compared to $318,400 for the
first six months of 1999. The increase is primarily due to an increase in
interest income as a result of higher interest rates and higher average cash
balances during the first six months of 2000 compared to the first six months of
1999.


                                       12
<PAGE>

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL REOURCES

         AVANT ended the second quarter of 2000 with cash and cash equivalents
of $16,058,500 compared to cash and cash equivalents of $13,619,000 at December
31, 1999. Cash used in operations was $1,629,600 in the first six months of 2000
compared to $4,857,100 used in operations in the first six months of 1999.

         In July 1999, Novartis exercised its option to license TP10 for use in
the field of transplantation. The decision to license TP10 resulted in a $6
million payment by Novartis which was received by AVANT in January 2000. The
payment included an equity investment of $2,307,700 and a license fee of
$3,692,300.

         Also, during the first six months of 2000, AVANT raised approximately
$1,535,700 and $241,400 in additional equity investment through the exercise of
stock options and warrants, respectively.

         After the end of the second quarter of 2000, on July 17, 2000, AVANT
completed a private placement of approximately 4,650,000 shares of common stock
which generated net proceeds totaling approximately $34,594,400.

         AVANT believes that cash inflows from existing collaborations, interest
income on invested funds and our current cash and cash equivalents together with
the funds raised by the private placement completed in July 2000 will be
sufficient to meet estimated working capital requirements and fund operations
for the next two years. The working capital requirements of AVANT are dependent
on several factors including, but not limited to, the costs associated with
research and development programs, preclinical and clinical studies and the
scope of collaborative arrangements. During 2000, we may take steps to raise
additional capital including, but not limited to, licensing of technology
programs with existing or new collaborative partners, possible business
combinations, or issuance of common stock via private placement and public
offering.

YEAR 2000

         THE STATEMENTS IN THIS SECTION INCLUDE THE "YEAR 2000 READINESS
DISCLOSURE" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE YEAR 2000 INFORMATION AND READINESS
DISCLOSURE ACT. THIS SECTION CONTAINS CERTAIN STATEMENTS THAT ARE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS AMENDED. AVANT'S YEAR 2000 READINESS, AND THE EVENTUAL AFFECTS OF THE YEAR
2000 ON AVANT MAY BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT THAN CURRENTLY PROJECTED. THIS MAY BE
DUE TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE INABILITY OF AVANT OR OF KEY THIRD PARTIES WITH
WHOM WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP TO ACHIEVE OR MAINTAIN YEAR
2000 READINESS.

         The "Year 2000" issue affects computer systems that have date sensitive
programs that may not properly recognize the year 2000. Systems that do not
properly recognize such information could generate data or cause a system to
fail, resulting in business interruption. Through the first six months of the
year 2000, AVANT's operations are fully functioning and have not experienced any
significant issues associated with the Year 2000 problem discussed above. Costs
associated with modifications made by AVANT to be Year 2000 compliant were
immaterial. There can be no assurance, however, that a failure by another
company's system to be Year 2000 compliant would not have a material adverse
affect on our business, operating results and financial condition.


                                       13
<PAGE>

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         In January 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
Financial Reporting Release No. 48, which expands the disclosure requirements
for certain derivatives and other financial instruments. The Company does not
utilize derivative financial instruments.

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         On May 8, 2000, the AVANT held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at
which the voters elected seven directors to its Board of Directors.

         At AVANT's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the following votes were
tabulated for the one proposal before AVANT's Stockholders:

         PROPOSAL I
         Election of Directors:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER OF SHARES/VOTES
                                                        --------------------------------------
                                                            For             Authority Withheld
                                                        ----------          ------------------
              <S>                                       <C>                         <C>
              J. Barrie Ward                            39,668,324                  93,510
              John W. Littlechild                       39,668,088                  93,746
              Una S. Ryan                               39,643,024                 118,810
              Thomas R. Ostermueller                    39,668,845                  92,989
              Frederick W. Kyle                         39,669,438                  92,396
              Harry H. Penner, Jr.                      39,669,699                  92,135
              Peter Sears                               39,669,838                  91,996
</TABLE>

         The number of shares issued, outstanding and eligible to vote as of the
record date of March 24, 2000 were 50,084,075. A quorum was present with
39,761,834 shares represented by 209 proxies or 79.39% of the eligible voting
shares.


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

         (A)  EXHIBITS

              27.1  Financial Data Schedule

         (B)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

              No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the
quarter for which this report is filed.


                                       14
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

         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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                   AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.


                                   BY:



Dated:  July 25, 2000              /s/ Una S. Ryan
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Una S. Ryan, Ph. D.
                                   President and Chief Executive Officer
                                   (Principal Executive Officer)




Dated:  July 25, 2000              /s/ Avery W. Catlin
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   Avery W. Catlin
                                   Senior Vice President, Treasurer
                                   and Chief Financial Officer
                                   (Principal Financial and
                                   Accounting Officer)


                                       15
<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER                   DESCRIPTION


27.1               Financial Data Schedule.


                                       16


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