Bird Flu Vaccine Reports Heartening

Released by: Steve Dcosta

The highest immune reaction was in volunteers who had received the higher or 30 microgram dosage.

Email: stevedcosta@gmail.com

Keywords: Tamiflu, Bird flu, flu symptoms, avian influenza

Update Date: 5/24/2006 1:12:27 AM

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Descrption:
A recent trial of an experimental vaccine against Avian Influenza or the H5N1 Bird Flu virus has shown a good resistance in healthy volunteers.

This vaccine has been made on a modified strain of the H5N1 Bird Flu virus by a unit of the French drug company Sanofi Aventis: Sanofi Pasteur. Researchers have tested this vaccine in various combinations with and without an additive/adjuvant that increases its efficacy. This study has resulted in the finding that two 30 microgram doses with the additive “induced the highest antibody response after 42 days”.

Dr. Melanie Saville, heading the team at Sanofi Pasteur said that this tested out vaccine seemed to be well-tolerated and safe. She also said that although they had got a good immune response from one of the doses, further research was required.

Earlier, another Sanofi vaccine had a satisfactory immune response with two doses of 90 micrograms. This dosage is important because the lesser the dosage required, the more people could be vaccinated in case of a pandemic outbreak.

Mike Ward, the industry Analyst with Nomura Code, analysed the immune response and found that it was 66.7 percent against 50 percent in the earlier trial and this was good for the development of the vaccine.

Strategies to increase production are a constant worry as only about 300 million doses of human flu vaccines are currently produced in a year. As an increase in production could take years and require major funds, the only way out is to apply dose-sparing strategies so as to stretch supplies.

The H5N1 Bird Flu virus has already spread from Asia to Europe. Scientists are afraid that in Africa and in the Middle East, this could metamorphose into a highly infectious strain that could start a pandemic, killing millions.

While all companies are racing against time to develop “pre-pandemic” H5N1 vaccines to save lives and develop a vaccine before a pandemic outbreak, this could take 4-6 months from the start of a pandemic before a particular vaccine is ready.

The highest immune reaction was in volunteers who had received the higher or 30 microgram dosage with an adjuvant. However, the adjuvant did not improve the reaction to the lower doses.

Dr. Saville told Reuters that the Phase 2 trials would be carried out shortly. She also said that the findings of these would be submitted to the European Healthcare Regulators as a part of its “mock up” file. They believe that this may reduce the time required for the approval of a pandemic vaccine.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Chiron Corp. are also developing vaccines to fight the virus. One drug oseltamivir or Tamiflu is also known to reduce the severity and duration of the illness within 48 hours of the flu symptoms. This may increase the chances of survival but clinical data is limited regarding this.

For more information's visit: http://www.checkflu.com/