The data show that the vaccine induces an immune response potentially capable of eradicating cells infected by highly divergent influenza viruses. It also has the potential to augment the protective antibody response generated by standard flu vaccine.
These combined responses may provide effective immunity against multiple strains of the flu virus and may represent a potent new vaccine approach against divergent or pandemic strains of the flu virus.
In 2003, Dynavax was awarded a $3 million grant over three and a half years to fund R&D of a pandemic influenza vaccine under a program for biodefense administered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health.
This funding should enable Dynavax to complete preclinical feasibility experiments and manufacturing of sufficient GMP-grade materials for investigational new drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies.