New Vaccine Protects Against Multiple Flu Strains

As the Swine Flu continues to take lives in Mexico, and more cases are reported in the United States, help may be on the way. Scientists at Novavax, Inc. have successfully developed the first multi-strain flu vaccine, though it may not be FDA approved in time to help with the current flu outbreak.

The new preclinical study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA and Novavax , Inc. report that the H1N1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine protects against both the Spanish flu and a highly infective H5N1 avian influenza (Bird Flu) strain.

The H1N1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine differs from traditional vaccines in several ways. The scientists at Novavax have engineered H1N1 as a live influenza vaccine. 'Unlike other non-live influenza vaccines, the VLPs are uniquely positioned to stimulate immunity through multiple mechanisms,' said Dr. Penny Heaton, Chief Medical Officer at Novavax.

A live vaccine can stimulate special antibodies that both prevent the virus from attaching to cells but also prevent the virus from fusing with cells. Dr. Penny Heaton added that the live vaccine developed by Novavax "may stimulate production of antibody that prevents spread of the virus down the respiratory tract."

Researchers from Novavax and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccinated mice and ferrets with H1N1. All of the immunized mice and ferrets were protected when exposed to a lethal dose of the 1918 influenza virus, and those animals that were immunized by the intranasal route were also protected against a lethal dose of a highly pathogenic bird flu strain.

This is the first time protection against strains with different HA types has been reported. Having one vaccine which can protect against multiple strains of flu would be a great help when faced with pandemic flu situations, such as the current swine flu outbreak. A vaccine which can protect against multiple strains of flu is ideal for agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who stockpile vaccines for administration during the first wave of the pandemics.

Dr. Gale Smith, Vice President of Vaccine Development at Novavax, said, 'A broadly protective vaccine administered prior to and during the first wave of a pandemic could prevent widespread morbidity and mortality from a newly emerged pandemic influenza strain and allow time for the development of strain-specific vaccines.'

While the development of the first successful multi-strain flu vaccine promises to benefit agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the future, it is doubtful the new flu vaccine will pass clinical trials in time to have an impact on the current swine flu outbreak.

R&D Programs, www.novavax.com

Pandemic Flu, www.novavax.com

Drug Discovery & Development, www.dddmag.com