-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PWWGukJZYgAZklihwEa2awxMinrtprG3MTe3jg06/TUzhrTAWVCRJ7F4Q9LQ1ntM
 NGeOAl56hMmD9XSkKGdzCg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-08-002269.txt : 20080317
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-08-002269.hdr.sgml : 20080317
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080317194647
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-08-002269
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080307
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080317
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080317

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Elston George
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001429932

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15006
		FILM NUMBER:		08694601

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(781) 433-0771

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		124 CHATHAM STREET
		CITY:			CHATHAM
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07928

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000744218
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				133191702
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		119 FOURTH AVE
		CITY:			NEEDHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02494
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7814330771

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		119 FOURTH AVE
		CITY:			NEEDHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			021942725

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	T CELL SCIENCES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000744218</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AVAN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001429932</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Elston George</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>124 CHATHAM STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHATHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07928</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.16</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-09-07</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-03-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17879</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As of March 7, 2008 (the &quot;Effective Date&quot;), George Elston beneficially owns options to purchase 17,879 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the &quot;Shares&quot;), of AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.  Options to purchase 11,368 Shares are exercisable as of the Effective Date.  Options to purchase 6,511 Shares will be exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the Effective Date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ George Elston</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-03-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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