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Home » NOVAVAX INITIATES TESTING OF INTRANASAL FLU VACCINE
NOVAVAX INITIATES TESTING OF INTRANASAL FLU VACCINE
September 20, 2006
Novavax has begun preclinical testing of intranasal versions of its avian influenza vaccines, providing a potential alternative to administering these vaccines by injection.
The company is investigating the intranasal delivery route using both its seasonal and pandemic virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines in preclinical models. Using the company's proprietary VLP technology, Novavax scientists create a particle that is nearly identical to a virus but does not have the virus's genetic material required for replication or infection. When inoculated into the body, these particles have the ability to attach to cells and trigger a natural immune response that is capable of protecting against viral infection. Preliminary data show that the intranasal vaccine can trigger a protective immune response that is similar to that of an intramuscular formulation.
"There are many parts of the world that do not have accessibility to enough sterile needles to respond to an influenza crisis," said Rick Bright, vice president of vaccine development. "The problem with needles is that conditions must be highly sterile in order to prevent contamination during the mass vaccination that would take place in the event of an emergency."
Researchers are using the Clade 2 H5N1 influenza virus for both the intranasal and intramuscular versions of its pandemic influenza vaccine. This virus variant is primarily responsible for human infections and mortality over the last year.
KEYWORDS Drug Pipeline Alert
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