Vaccine News and Research

Latest Vaccine News and Research

Oxford Therapeutic Antibody Centre receives Manufacturer’s Authorisation

Oxford University's Therapeutic Antibody Centre (TAC) has received a Manufacturer's Authorisation (Investigational Medicinal Products) from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

29 Jun 2004

New £18M Medical Research Council facility

A new £18M Medical Research Council (MRC) facility to understand and compare the genetics of disease in mice and humans will be opened today, Wednesday 30 June, by Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Technology.

29 Jun 2004

12 sites testing a new vaccine to prevent anthrax

The phase II trial will evaluate the safety and immunogenic response of a new recombinant anthrax vaccine, known as rPA102. The vaccine candidate consists of recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA), a synthetic protein that induces antibodies designed to prevent illness by neutralizing anthrax toxins, and aluminum hydroxide to enhance the immune response.

29 Jun 2004

UK launch of The Institute of Medical Law

The University of Birmingham is continuing to lead the way in international research into medical-legal issues such as MMR, euthanasia and drug regulation with the launch of The Institute of Medical Law.

29 Jun 2004

The EU is contributing €9 million to the “Vigilance against Viral Resistance” (VIRGIL) project

Viruses’ growing resistance to drugs means diseases such as hepatitis B and C are increasingly difficult to treat. New pandemics may arise with unforeseeable consequences.

29 Jun 2004

A viral respiratory infection common in children increases the risk of developing asthma

The study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, is the first to show a link between respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, infection and asthma in mice. A related study, also in mice, suggests that a medication neutralizing the virus could decrease children's chances of developing asthma.

28 Jun 2004

Meningococcal disease: peak season warning

West Australians are being urged to watch out for the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease as the State heads into the peak season for the potentially deadly infection.

28 Jun 2004

New study could bring hope to men who don't respond well to hormone therapy for prostate cancer

More than 1 million American have prostate cancer, the leading non-skin cancer in men in the United States. Last year alone some 220,000 new prostate cancer cases were reported, and 28,900 men died of it.

25 Jun 2004

MRSA "superbug" genome decoded

On 18 June 2004, the BBC reported fears that deaths from the 'superbug' MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) might double in the next five years.

25 Jun 2004

A single dose of a test vaccine sprayed into the nose protects monkeys against the SARS virus

The study, published in the June 26 issue of the British journal The Lancet, is the third recently issued by NIAID that describes a promising candidate vaccine against SARS.

25 Jun 2004

Animal vaccine shows potential for the development of human SARS immunisation

The current issue of the LANCET provides evidence for the effectiveness of experimental SARS immunisation in animal studies. The preliminary results show the potential for the development of human SARS immunisation.

24 Jun 2004

European marketing approval for new influenza vaccine

Solvay Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has obtained European marketing approval for its new virosomal influenza vaccine: INVIVAC®.

23 Jun 2004

Freeze-dried sugar helps keep heat-sensitive, protein-based drugs working at room temperature

A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but it may take only a thin coating of freeze-dried sugar to keep insulin, vaccines and other heat-sensitive, protein-based drugs working reliably even when stored at room temperature and above.

23 Jun 2004

West and central Africa is on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years

Epidemiologists of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative today issued a stark warning that west and central Africa is on the brink of the largest polio epidemic in recent years.

23 Jun 2004

Australian childhood immunisation incentives to continue

Funding for the General Practice Immunisation Incentives Scheme (GPII) will now continue on an ongoing basis to ensure that Australia’s 90 per cent plus childhood immunisation coverage is maintained.

23 Jun 2004

1 million deaths from malaria per year

Malaria remains a global health problem of staggering dimensions and despite many efforts to fight the disease; the situation today is worsening with more than 1 million deaths per year.

22 Jun 2004

Lingering outbreak of pertussis in four Chicago-area counties

Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today urged parents to ensure their children have been properly immunized against this highly contagious disease and asked that persons exhibiting symptoms to immediately seek medical care.

20 Jun 2004

Ugandans highly knowledgeable about HIV vaccine and willing to participate in future trials

A majority of Ugandan study participants are familiar with the benefits of vaccines and are willing to participate in future HIV-preventive vaccine trails

20 Jun 2004

Australian researchers awarded funding for new HIV vaccines

Australian researchers at Monash University have been awarded $488,125 in development grants by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for projects exploring new vaccines for HIV, the development of medical diagnostic devices and the development of drugs to treat metastatic cancers.

17 Jun 2004

Biotech organization receives $1 million form Bill & Melinda Gates

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced the launch of BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), a new nonprofit organization that will work to enlist the biotechnology industry in the fight against neglected diseases. BVGH has received a $1 million start-up grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

17 Jun 2004