Celltech Group (formerly Medeva) developed Hepagene, a recombinant polyvalent vaccine with potential activity against hepatitis B virus infections [353474]. In September 2000, PowderJect acquired the product as part of its acquisition of Celltech's vaccine manufacturing business [381557]. In July 2001, PowderJect reported that evaluation was nearing completion. At this time, the company expected to launch the vaccine in the coming months [443490]. Hepagene is a polyvalent vaccine with S, pre-S1 and pre-S2 hepatitis B epitopes forming the basis of its antigenicity. Additionally, these surface markers have been glycosylated in order to resemble the live virus more closely [254780]. By June 2000, Celltech and PowderJect were evaluating Hepagene, utilizing PowderJect's needle-less injection technology [379536]. In December 1999, Lehman Brothers predicted that the product had a 50% chance of reaching the treatment (rather than prevention) market, with potential peak sales of US $600 million [352078].