Leiden, The Netherlands, October 9, 2006 - Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) announced today that it has secured a US$ 16.2 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), for the design and development of an HIV vaccine. The contract supports a collaborative program with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and Charles River Laboratories Inc.

The program focuses on the use of live viral vectors for the design and development of an HIV vaccine. A number of HIV genes will be tested for insertion into the vector, with the best antigens being selected for development into products suitable for phase I and II clinical trials in humans. The program will be supported by the NIAID's Vaccine Research Center (VRC), which will offer expertise on antigen design.

The contract provides for a full cost reimbursement plus a fixed-fee. The program will be fully covered up until the commencement of clinical trials. Further, the NIAID HIV Vaccine Trials Network has expressed interest in performing clinical trials as soon as preclinical tests are completed and a clinical lot is available.

"We are very grateful to the NIAID for their support and ongoing endorsement of our technology in the field of HIV vaccine development," said Crucell's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Jaap Goudsmit. "Multiple high-level vaccine initiatives are essential if we are to be successful in delivering the safe, effective and accessible HIV vaccine that the world needs so urgently."