Date: 10/14/2006 12:30:00 PM

    TORONTO, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vical Incorporated
(Nasdaq: VICL) today announced that data from a study in mice showed an
adjuvant originally developed to boost the immune response to its DNA vaccines
also boosts the immune response to a conventional seasonal influenza (flu)
vaccine.  Results from the studies suggest that the company's patented vaccine
adjuvant known as Vaxfectin(TM) has the potential to be used as a dose-sparing
agent with conventional flu vaccines against seasonal or pandemic flu strains.
The company is developing a Vaxfectin(TM)-formulated DNA vaccine designed to
protect against emerging strains of flu virus that have the potential to cause
a pandemic.  Larry R. Smith, Ph.D., the company's Vice President of Vaccine
Research, presented the data Saturday at the annual meeting of the Infectious
Diseases Society of America (Toronto, October 12 - 15).

    Mice were vaccinated with Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine
(Sanofi-Pasteur Fluzone(R) 2005-2006 Formula commercial product), with or
without the Vaxfectin(TM) adjuvant, and evaluated for immunogenicity through
hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, the accepted standard correlate of
protection for conventional flu vaccines.  Vaxfectin(TM)-formulated vaccines
yielded significantly higher HI titers than unformulated vaccines at the same
dose.

    Vaxfectin(TM) is a novel adjuvant designed by Vical to increase the immune
response in DNA vaccines, and Vaxfectin(TM) formulations have demonstrated
good tolerability and adjuvant activity in DNA vaccine applications in
multiple animal models, including non-human primates.  The company holds
patents in the United States covering both the novel Vaxfectin(TM) adjuvant
and its use with conventional vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer,
and in both the United States and Europe covering the use of Vaxfectin(TM)
with DNA vaccines.  Vical's lead Vaxfectin(TM)-formulated, three-component DNA
vaccine candidate against avian flu provided 100% protection in mice and
ferrets against lethal challenges with a highly virulent H5N1 virus, and is
advancing toward human testing.

    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.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected, including: whether Vical or others will continue evaluation
of Vaxfectin(TM) as an adjuvant for conventional vaccines against seasonal or
pandemic flu; whether Vaxfectin(TM) will be used as a dose-sparing agent with
conventional flu vaccines against seasonal or pandemic flu strains;  whether
Vical or others will continue development of the pandemic flu DNA vaccine
candidate; whether H5N1 or other strains of avian influenza will emerge as
pandemic threats; whether the company's DNA vaccine candidate will be
effective in protecting humans against H5N1 or other strains of avian flu;
whether the flu vaccine or any other product candidates will be shown to be
safe and effective; the timing, nature and cost of clinical trials; whether
Vical or its collaborative partners will seek or gain approval to market the
flu vaccine or any other product candidates; whether Vical or its
collaborative partners will succeed in marketing the flu vaccine or any other
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.



    Contacts:  Investors:                        Media:
               Alan R. Engbring                  Susan Neath
               Vical Incorporated                Porter Novelli Life Sciences
               (858) 646-1127                    (619) 849-6007
               Website:  www.vical.com


SOURCE  Vical Incorporated
    -0-                             10/14/2006
    /CONTACT:  Investors, Alan R. Engbring of Vical Incorporated,
+1-858-646-1127; or Media, Susan Neath of Porter Novelli Life Sciences,
+1-619-849-6007, for Vical Incorporated/
    /Web site:  http://www.vical.com/
    (VICL)

CO:  Vical Incorporated
ST:  California, Ontario
IN:  HEA MTC BIO IDC
SU:  TDS

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0443 10/14/2006 12:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com