content: <html>
  
  <head>
  
  
  
  
  
  </head>
  
  <body lang="EN-US">
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <div style="border:none;border-top:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p align="center" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED
  STATES</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON,
  D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT
  REPORT</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT
  TO SECTION&nbsp;13 OR 15(d)&nbsp;OF</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE
  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report
  (Date of earliest event reported): <b>March&nbsp;7, 2008</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">AVANT
  IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of
  registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Delaware</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">0-15006</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">13-3191702</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other
    jurisdiction<br>
    of incorporation)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File
    Number)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"><br>
    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Identification No.)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">119 Fourth Avenue</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Needham,
  Massachusetts 02494-2725</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of
  principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(781) 433-0771</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s
  telephone number, including area code)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K
  filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
  under any of the following provisions:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written communications
    pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting material
    pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement
    communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
    CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement
    communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
    CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="93%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:93.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p align="left" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\rmoralec\08-15774-2\task2979503\15774-2-ba.htm',USER='rmoralec',CD='Jun  9 15:40 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 4.01.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Changes in Registrant&#146;s Certifying
  Accountant</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="left" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)&nbsp;On
  March&nbsp;7, 2008, AVANT Immunotherapeutics,&nbsp;Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;)
  completed the merger of Callisto Merger Corporation (&#147;Merger Sub&#148;), a wholly
  owned subsidiary of the Registrant with and into Celldex Therapeutics,&nbsp;Inc.
  (&#147;Celldex&#148;), a privately-held company (that transaction is referred to in this
  Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K as the &#147;Merger&#148;).&#160; Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, shares
  of the Registrant&#146;s common stock were issued to the shareholders of Celldex and
  Celldex became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.&#160; The Merger was accounted for using the
  purchase method of accounting and was treated as an acquisition by Celldex of
  the Registrant with Celldex being considered the accounting acquirer based on
  the application of criteria specified in Statement of Financial Accounting
  Standards (&#147;SFAS&#148;) No.&nbsp;141, Business Combination, (&#147;SFAS 141&#148;), even
  though the Registrant was the issuer of common stock and the surviving legal
  entity in the transaction.&#160; Because
  Celldex was determined to be the acquirer for accounting purposes, the historical
  financial statements of Celldex became the historical financial statements of
  the combined company as of the closing of the Merger.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Celldex&#146;s
  financial statements for 2006 and 2007 were audited by Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young
  LLP (&#147;E&amp;Y&#148;).&#160; Since 1994, the Registrant&#146;s
  financial statements were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (&#147;PwC&#148;).&#160; As of March&nbsp;7, 2008, the effective date
  of the Merger, the Audit Committee of the Registrant authorized PwC to continue
  as the Registrant&#146;s independent accountants for 2008.&#160; The Staff of the Securities and Exchange
  Commission takes the position that in a transaction such as the Merger, there
  is always a change of independent accountants (unless the same firm had served
  as the independent accountants of both the acquiring and the acquired
  companies).&#160; Accordingly, the Registrant
  is providing the information in this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K to report
  that when the Registrant&#146;s Audit Committee authorized PwC continue as the
  Registrant&#146;s independent accountants, as a technical matter that authorization
  resulted in E&amp;Y being &#147;dismissed&#148; as Celldex&#146;s independent accountants.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">During
  the past two years, E&amp;Y&#146;s report on the financial statements of Celldex did
  not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, was not qualified or modified
  as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">During
  the two fiscal years preceding the &#147;dismissal&#148; of E&amp;Y:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">There were no disagreements between Celldex
  or the Registrant and E&amp;Y on any matter of accounting principles or
  practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
  which disagreement(s), if not resolved to the satisfaction of E&amp;Y, would
  have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s)&nbsp;in
  connection with its report.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">None of the &#147;reportable events&#148; listed in
  paragraphs (a)(1)(v)(A)&nbsp;through (D)&nbsp;of Item 304 of Regulation S-K
  promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (&#147;Item 304&#148;) occurred,
  except as set forth below.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\rmoralec\08-15774-2\task2979503\15774-2-ba.htm',USER='rmoralec',CD='Jun  9 15:40 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><u><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Response to paragraph
  (a)(1)(v)(A)&nbsp;of Item 304</font></u><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> - On May&nbsp;7, 2008,
  E&amp;Y reported to the Registrant&#146;s management and Audit Committee that it had
  noted the following material weaknesses in Celldex&#146;s internal control over
  financial reporting: (i)&nbsp;during 2007, Celldex did not maintain an
  effective segregation of duties (specifically, certain authority and
  responsibility were not appropriately assigned and delegated to employees
  within the organization); and (ii)&nbsp;during 2007, Celldex did not maintain
  effective internal control over the financial statement closing process
  (specifically, Celldex did not maintain formal, written policies and procedures
  governing the financial close and reporting process to ensure an accurate and
  timely financial statement closing process).&#160;
  The latter control deficiency resulted in misstatements to general and
  administrative expense, research and development expense and accrued liability
  accounts and related financial statement disclosures.&#160; Management of the Registrant had already
  noted those material weaknesses as of March&nbsp;31, 2008, and there was no
  disagreement with E&amp;Y concerning these matters.&#160; These material weaknesses were discussed with
  the Registrant&#146;s Audit Committee.&#160; The
  Registrant has authorized E&amp;Y to respond fully to the inquiries of the
  successor accountant with respect to these matters, without limitations.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The
  Registrant has provided E&amp;Y with a copy of the disclosures that the
  Registrant is making herein in response to Item 304 and requested that E&amp;Y
  furnish to the Registrant a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Registrant
  in response to Item 304 and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not
  agree.&#160; The Registrant is filing the
  letter received from E&amp;Y in response to that request as an exhibit to this
  Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)&nbsp;As
  discussed above, when the Registrant&#146;s Audit Committee authorized PwC to
  continue as the Registrant&#146;s independent accountants, PwC became engaged as the
  Registrant&#146;s independent registered public accounting firm as of March&nbsp;7,
  2008.&#160; During the two most recent fiscal
  years and through March&nbsp;7, 2008, Celldex had not consulted with PwC
  regarding either (i)&nbsp;the application of accounting principles to a
  specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion
  that might be rendered on Celldex&#146;s financial statements, and neither a written
  report was provided to Celldex nor oral advice was provided that PwC concluded
  was an important factor considered by Celldex in reaching a decision as to the
  accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii)&nbsp;any matter that
  was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item
  304(a)(1)(iv)&nbsp;of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304
  of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item
  304(a)(1)(v)&nbsp;of Regulation S-K.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='3',FILE='C:\JMS\rmoralec\08-15774-2\task2979503\15774-2-ba.htm',USER='rmoralec',CD='Jun  9 15:40 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item
  9.01.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Financial Statements
  and Exhibits</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.6%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Exhibit</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.56%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.82%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Description</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.6%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">16.1</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.56%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.82%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Letter
    from Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young addressed to the Securities and Exchange</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.6%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.56%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="85%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:85.82%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Commission,
    dated June&nbsp;9, 2008.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='4',FILE='C:\JMS\rmoralec\08-15774-2\task2979503\15774-2-ba.htm',USER='rmoralec',CD='Jun  9 15:40 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURE</font></b></strong></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><strong><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">AVANT
    IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.</font></b></strong></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="50%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:50.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:
    June&nbsp;9, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/
    Avery W. Catlin</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Avery
    W. Catlin</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:
    Senior Vice President and</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.16%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief
    Financial Officer</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='5',FILE='C:\JMS\rmoralec\08-15774-2\task2979503\15774-2-ba.htm',USER='rmoralec',CD='Jun  9 15:40 2008' -->
  
  
  </body>
  
  </html>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a08-15774_28k.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 39567}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS INC", "cik": "0000744218", "assigned-sic": "2835", "irs-number": "133191702", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-15006", "film-number": "08888415"}, "business-address": {"street1": "119 FOURTH AVE", "city": "NEEDHAM", "state": "MA", "zip": "02494", "phone": "7814330771"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "119 FOURTH AVE", "city": "NEEDHAM", "state": "MA", "zip": "021942725"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "T CELL SCIENCES INC", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
text: UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON,
  D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT
  REPORT
  PURSUANT
  TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
  THE
  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  Date of Report
  (Date of earliest event reported):
  March 7, 2008
  AVANT
  IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
  (Exact name of
  registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  0-15006
  13-3191702
  (State or other
    jurisdiction
  of incorporation)
  (Commission File
    Number)
  (IRS Employer
  Identification No.)
  119 Fourth Avenue
  Needham,
  Massachusetts 02494-2725
  (Address of
  principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  (781) 433-0771
  (Registrant's
  telephone number, including area code)
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K
  filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
  under any of the following provisions:
  o
  Written communications
    pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting material
    pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement
    communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
    CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement
    communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
    CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 4.01.              Changes in Registrant's Certifying
  Accountant
  (a) On
  March 7, 2008, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (the "Registrant")
  completed the merger of Callisto Merger Corporation ("Merger Sub"), a wholly
  owned subsidiary of the Registrant with and into Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.
  ("Celldex"), a privately-held company (that transaction is referred to in this
  Current Report on Form 8-K as the "Merger").  Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, shares
  of the Registrant's common stock were issued to the shareholders of Celldex and
  Celldex became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.  The Merger was accounted for using the
  purchase method of accounting and was treated as an acquisition by Celldex of
  the Registrant with Celldex being considered the accounting acquirer based on
  the application of criteria specified in Statement of Financial Accounting
  Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, Business Combination, ("SFAS 141"), even
  though the Registrant was the issuer of common stock and the surviving legal
  entity in the transaction.  Because
  Celldex was determined to be the acquirer for accounting purposes, the historical
  financial statements of Celldex became the historical financial statements of
  the combined company as of the closing of the Merger.
  Celldex's
  financial statements for 2006 and 2007 were audited by Ernst & Young
  LLP ("E&Y").  Since 1994, the Registrant's
  financial statements were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers ("PwC").  As of March 7, 2008, the effective date
  of the Merger, the Audit Committee of the Registrant authorized PwC to continue
  as the Registrant's independent accountants for 2008.  The Staff of the Securities and Exchange
  Commission takes the position that in a transaction such as the Merger, there
  is always a change of independent accountants (unless the same firm had served
  as the independent accountants of both the acquiring and the acquired
  companies).  Accordingly, the Registrant
  is providing the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K to report
  that when the Registrant's Audit Committee authorized PwC continue as the
  Registrant's independent accountants, as a technical matter that authorization
  resulted in E&Y being "dismissed" as Celldex's independent accountants.
  During
  the past two years, E&Y's report on the financial statements of Celldex did
  not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, was not qualified or modified
  as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
  During
  the two fiscal years preceding the "dismissal" of E&Y:
  ·
  There were no disagreements between Celldex
  or the Registrant and E&Y on any matter of accounting principles or
  practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
  which disagreement(s), if not resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y, would
  have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s) in
  connection with its report.
  ·
  None of the "reportable events" listed in
  paragraphs (a)(1)(v)(A) through (D) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K
  promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Item 304") occurred,
  except as set forth below.
  2
  ·
  Response to paragraph
  (a)(1)(v)(A) of Item 304
  - On May 7, 2008,
  E&Y reported to the Registrant's management and Audit Committee that it had
  noted the following material weaknesses in Celldex's internal control over
  financial reporting: (i) during 2007, Celldex did not maintain an
  effective segregation of duties (specifically, certain authority and
  responsibility were not appropriately assigned and delegated to employees
  within the organization); and (ii) during 2007, Celldex did not maintain
  effective internal control over the financial statement closing process
  (specifically, Celldex did not maintain formal, written policies and procedures
  governing the financial close and reporting process to ensure an accurate and
  timely financial statement closing process). 
  The latter control deficiency resulted in misstatements to general and
  administrative expense, research and development expense and accrued liability
  accounts and related financial statement disclosures.  Management of the Registrant had already
  noted those material weaknesses as of March 31, 2008, and there was no
  disagreement with E&Y concerning these matters.  These material weaknesses were discussed with
  the Registrant's Audit Committee.  The
  Registrant has authorized E&Y to respond fully to the inquiries of the
  successor accountant with respect to these matters, without limitations.
  The
  Registrant has provided E&Y with a copy of the disclosures that the
  Registrant is making herein in response to Item 304 and requested that E&Y
  furnish to the Registrant a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Registrant
  in response to Item 304 and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not
  agree.  The Registrant is filing the
  letter received from E&Y in response to that request as an exhibit to this
  Current Report on Form 8-K.
  (b) As
  discussed above, when the Registrant's Audit Committee authorized PwC to
  continue as the Registrant's independent accountants, PwC became engaged as the
  Registrant's independent registered public accounting firm as of March 7,
  2008.  During the two most recent fiscal
  years and through March 7, 2008, Celldex had not consulted with PwC
  regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a
  specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion
  that might be rendered on Celldex's financial statements, and neither a written
  report was provided to Celldex nor oral advice was provided that PwC concluded
  was an important factor considered by Celldex in reaching a decision as to the
  accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that
  was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item
  304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304
  of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item
  304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
  3
  Item
  9.01.              Financial Statements
  and Exhibits
  Exhibit
  Description
  16.1
  Letter
    from Ernst & Young addressed to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission,
    dated June 9, 2008.
  4
  SIGNATURE
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.
  AVANT
    IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
  Date:
    June 9, 2008
  By:
  /s/
    Avery W. Catlin
  Avery
    W. Catlin
  Title:
    Senior Vice President and
  Chief
    Financial Officer
  5