Novartis has produced its first batch of experimental swine flu vaccine. Swine flu was declared pandemic by WHO on Thursday, June 11, 2009.
The vaccine was produced at Novartis’ plant in Marburg, Germany. The company plans to start clinical trials with that vaccine in July, and expects licensure in the fall of 2009.
The vaccine is said to be made in cells rather than grown in eggs, said the company. The vaccine is yet to be tested in humans.
The news has been beneficial for Novartis, as it has raised the shares prices of the company by 4% on the Zurich exchange.
This first batch of ten liters of wild type influenza A(H1N1) vaccine monobulk will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing, and is also being considered for use in clinical trials.
As well as speed, another advantage of cell-based production is the ability to rapidly increase production, so the facility has the potential to produce millions of doses of vaccine each week, said Novartis.