QUEBEC CITY, Feb. 17 /CNW/ -- Medicago Inc. (TSX-V: MDG), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and affordable vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced that Ms. Nathalie Landry, Vice President of Product Development, is invited to present at the 6th WHO meeting on evaluation of pandemic influenza prototype vaccines in clinical trials. The conference is being held at the World Health Organization's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 18-19, 2010. The presentation, entitled "Safety and immunogenicity of an adjuvanted plant-made H5 VLP vaccine evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial", will discuss the clinical results of the first plant-made influenza vaccine to be tested in humans.

The purpose of the World Health Organization's meeting is to review pandemic vaccines currently in clinical trials and to make recommendations on research activities that will contribute to the development of effective pandemic vaccines. In attendance at this global gathering are representatives from government regulatory agencies, the leading vaccine companies, pharmaceutical companies and research professionals.

"It is a privilege to be amongst a select group of leading vaccine companies invited to present clinical data at such an important meeting," said Nathalie Landry, VP Product Development of Medicago, "This is a testament to the outstanding and innovative new products under development at Medicago in the area of vaccine development."

The Company recently reported positive interim results from a Phase I human clinical trial with its H5N1 Avian Influenza vaccine candidate ("H5N1 vaccine"). The vaccine was found to be safe, well tolerated and also induced a solid immune response. Full results of the Phase I trial will be submitted for publication in a scientific journal and will be available in the coming months. Based on these results, Medicago will proceed with a Phase II clinical trial.

About Medicago

Medicago is committed to provide highly effective and affordable vaccines based on proprietary Virus-Like Particle (VLP) and manufacturing technologies. Medicago is developing VLP vaccines to protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, using a transient expression system which produces recombinant vaccine antigens in non-transgenic plants. This technology has potential to offer advantages of speed and cost over competitive technologies. It could deliver a vaccine for testing in about a month after the identification and reception of genetic sequences from a pandemic strain. This production time frame has the potential to allow vaccination of the population before the first wave of a pandemic strikes and to supply large volumes of vaccine antigens to the world market. Additional information about Medicago is available at www.medicago.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with Medicago's business and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions to the extent they relate to Medicago or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect Medicago's current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including the matters discussed under "Risks Factors and Uncertainties" in Medicago's Annual Information Form filed on March 25, 2009 with the regulatory authorities. Medicago assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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