Swine flu vaccine focus on Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25821629-5006301,00.html

A SECOND company has started human swine flu vaccine trials in Adelaide.

Vaxine, a small firm based at Flinders Medical Centre, began trials earlier this week.

CSL, the biopharmaceutical company contracted to supply the Federal Government with 21 million doses of vaccine, began trials yesterday.

They are the first two human trials in the world.

CSL will trial its vaccine on 240 healthy adults through CMAX at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

They will inject the participants with their vaccine, monitor them through a daily diary, and test their blood after about three weeks.

“We can measure the immune response in the subject to confirm we’re getting the specific, powerful immune response, that would protect that subject against subsequent infection by the flu,” CSL research and development director Dr Andrew Cuthbertson said.

He said they hoped the vaccine would provide protection to millions of people.

“At CSL we’ve been working night and day over the past few months since the crisis was first detected in late April and we’re pleased that we have now a vaccine . . . that we believe will protect millions of people against this new H1N1 flu,” he said.

They used the same technology they use to create seasonal flu vaccines every year, and Dr Cuthbertson said they were confident in the “safety profile” of the vaccine, but were running trials to confirm the dose needed.

He also said it was a “constant battle” to stay ahead of viruses as they mutate, “but we’re very well prepared to do that”, he said.

Health Minister John Hill congratulated CSL on its “quick turnaround” of a vaccine.

“We became aware of this issue back in April so to have a vaccine ready for testing towards the end of July is a remarkable achievement by this Australian company,” he said, adding he was pleased it was “all happening” in SA.

Mr Hill did not rule out “fast tracking” the vaccine if it were needed before tests were completed, based on need.

CSL expects the vaccine to be ready for distribution in September or October. It starts trials on children in August.

Trial participant Chloe Gibbons, 22, said she joined the trial to do her bit, and for the $400 reimbursement fee.

“I’m just happy to do my part and help out. The money’s an incentive as well,” she said.

“People are dying from it so I’m happy to help out.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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i believe i commented on here a few months ago that CSL was the company to watch in regards to the swine flu and a vaccine..and australia is the first country to get trials going..the Vaxine company is 15 minutes from my house and are battling the big pharma CSL to get a vaccine up and running..but they wont get the help from the government that CSL will get..CSL currently trading along its last low of $28-29..could be time to buy in maybe

401

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~ by seeker401 on July 23, 2009.