"We are excited by Vaxfectin(r)'s potentially broad applicability with infectious disease vaccines, cancer vaccines and immunotherapeutics, based on demonstrated effectiveness in a variety of animal models," said Vijay B. Samant, Vical's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that the recognition by R&D Directions of Vaxfectin(r)'s promising Phase 1 tolerability and immunogenicity results with our pandemic influenza vaccine should be helpful in our ongoing discussions with potential development partners."

Research results have indicated that Vaxfectin(r) may be broadly applicable in DNA- and protein-based infectious disease vaccines and peptide-based cancer vaccines. Vaxfectin(r)-formulated vaccines have demonstrated good tolerability and significant immune responses in multiple animal models, including nonhuman primates, and underwent successful initial human testing with the company's H5N1 pandemic influenza DNA vaccines. Vaxfectin(r) has also demonstrated a dose-sparing effect (the ability to achieve the same vaccine effectiveness with lower vaccine doses) with commercial seasonal influenza and government-stockpiled protein-based H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccines. Recently reported Vaxfectin(r) progress included:

  *  Mouse data with Vaxfectin(r)-formulated seasonal influenza
     vaccines demonstrating the ability to adjust the ratio of
     Vaxfectin(r) to vaccine and drive substantial increases in
     either antibody or T-cell responses, without reducing the
     other type of response, compared with unformulated vaccine;

  *  A mouse study demonstrating a 100-fold increase in antigen-
     specific CD8+ T-cell responses with a Vaxfectin(r)-formulated
     cancer vaccine compared with unformulated vaccine; and

  *  Published results demonstrating long-term protection against
     measles challenge in juvenile and infant nonhuman primates
     with a Vaxfectin(r)-formulated DNA vaccine.

The company holds patents covering Vaxfectin(r) and its use with DNA and protein-based vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer. The Vaxfectin(r) adjuvant is currently being evaluated by potential partners for a variety of additional vaccine applications.

R&D Directions is a leading publication for the pharmaceutical industry and is focused on the progress of drugs advancing through research and development. The March 2009 issue of R&D Directions is available to subscribers or for single-issue purchase at http://www.pharmalive.com/magazines/randd.

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.

The Vical Incorporated logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5768

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 pandemic influenza vaccine programs and the company's Vaxfectin(r) adjuvant. Risks and uncertainties include whether Vical or others will continue development of the Vaxfectin(r)-formulated pandemic influenza DNA vaccine candidates; whether the Vaxfectin(r) adjuvant will be applied with other infectious disease or cancer vaccine candidates or immunotherapeutics; whether results from the pandemic influenza vaccine studies will be predictive of results in other applications; whether Vaxfectin(r) or other results in animal studies can be duplicated in human clinical trials; whether other applications will advance to human clinical testing, and if so, whether such testing will be successful; whether any Vaxfectin(r)-formulated product candidates or any other product candidates will be shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials; the timing, nature and cost of clinical trials; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market any Vaxfectin(r)-formulated product candidates or any other product candidates; whether Vical or its collaborative partners will succeed in marketing any product candidates; 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
         Website:  www.vical.com