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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                         PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 2, 2005

                         Commission file number 0-15006


                         AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                              ____________________


        Delaware                                     13-3191702
(State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)


                                119 Fourth Avenue
                          Needham, Massachusetts 02494
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (781) 433-0771
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                   (Former name, if changed since last report)
                              ____________________




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:

[]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)

[]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
    Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




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Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 2, 2005, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. issued a press release
announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2004.
The full text of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto is
incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
-------     ----------------------------------
99.1     Press Release of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. dated March 2, 2005.






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                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be filed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                  AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.


Dated: March 2, 2005              By:      /s/ Avery W. Catlin
       -------------                       -------------------------------------
                                           Avery W. Catlin
                                           Senior Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer



                                  Exhibit Index

99.1     Press Release of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. dated March 2, 2005.