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news.MedImmune has entered into an agreement with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop investigational pandemic influenza vaccines.
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Under the agreement MedImmune scientists will work together with leading researchers of the NIAID Laboratory of Infectious Diseases to produce and test versions of MedImmune’s attenuated, live intranasal influenza vaccine for use against different types of potential pandemic influenza strains, including one based on H5N1, which is a strain of avian flu.
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.
MedImmune has also offered licenses for its reverse genetics technology to US and international health authorities and other vaccine manufacturers developing pandemic influenza vaccines.
“As a US based influenza vaccine manufacturer, MedImmune is committed to working with public health agencies such as the NIH in preparation for a pandemic emergency,” said Dr James Young, 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.”