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September 28, 2005
MedImmune gets NIH pandemic flu vaccine collaboration pact
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- MedImmune Inc. said Wednesday it signed an agreement to collaborate with the National Institutes of Health in developing investigational pandemic influenza vaccines. Under the agreement, MedImmune scientists will work with researchers from the
Laboratory of Infectious Diseases to produce and test versions of MedImmune's attenuated, live intranasal flu vaccine for use against different types of potential pandemic influenza strains, including one based on H5N1, a strain of avian influenza.
MedImmune will use its proprietary reverse genetics technology to develop the
pandemic vaccines. The technology will allow MedImmune and NIAID researchers to
alter potentially harmful portions of influenza viruses, such as the
hemagglutinin protein of the H5N1 virus strain, and to rapidly produce
attenuated vaccine strains, thereby accelerating vaccine production. In the
interest of public health, MedImmune has also offered licenses for its reverse
genetics technology to U.S. and international health authorities and other
vaccine manufacturers developing pandemic influenza vaccines.
"As a U.S.-based influenza vaccine manufacturer, MedImmune is committed to
working with public health agencies such as the NIH in preparation for a
pandemic emergency," said James F. Young, Ph.D., president, research and
development. "With the occurrence of several avian or 'bird' influenza cases in
Asia this year, the development of a pandemic vaccine is a proactive step toward
protecting the health of our nation. An intranasal pandemic vaccine may help
facilitate and expedite influenza vaccinations for more Americans in the event
of a pandemic outbreak."
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices, possible advantages of attenuated, live
influenza vaccine include its potential to induce a broad mucosal and systemic
immune response, its ease of administration, and the acce
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Posted by dymaxion at September 28, 2005 12:15 PM
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