Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-aventis, has signed an agreement with Butantan Institute for the production and supply of a vaccine against the new A(H1N1) influenza virus for the Brazilian Government.
The order from the Brazil’s Health Ministry provides for the initial supply of 18 million doses of the new A(H1N1) influenza virus vaccine, with an option for an additional 15 million doses should the World Health Organization (WHO) request influenza manufacturers to switch production from the regular Southern Hemisphere Seasonal influenza vaccine to the A(H1N1) vaccine.
The vaccine antigen bulk will be manufactured in Sanofi Pasteur’s facility. Butantan Institute will perform vaccine’s final formulation, filling and packaging, and it will also be responsible for distributing vaccine.
Wayne Pisano, president and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur, said: “Sanofi Pasteur and Butantan Institute are historical and successful partners who will bring a tailored response to public health needs in the context of pandemic influenza in Brazil. Our goal is to produce and deliver as quickly as possible the pandemic vaccine which meets the requirements defined by the Brazilian health authorities. We rely on our close collaboration with Butantan Institute to produce and deliver the vaccine that will most effectively help respond to the public health threat caused by pandemic and seasonal influenza in Brazil.”
The contract was announced during a state visit to Brazil by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.