Vaccine News and Research

Latest Vaccine News and Research

Emergent BioSolutions receives NIAID funding support for dmPA7909 anthrax vaccine candidate

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced today that it was awarded a cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to further the development of one of Emergent’s advanced anthrax vaccine candidates known as dmPA7909.

30 Sep 2009

Immunocellular Therapeutics' pilot study can help in early cancer detection

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. (OTCBB: IMUC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is developing immune-based therapies for the treatment of brain and other cancers, announced today results from its pilot study evaluating the cancer detection abilities of one of its lead monoclonal antibody product candidates, ICT-109. Data from this study demonstrated that ICT-109 had a statistically significant ability to discriminate between cancerous and non-cancerous samples, suggesting the potential to detect pancreatic and lung cancer in plasma and serum study sets.

30 Sep 2009

Mellow Hope granted H1N1 license by SFDA

The issuer's China based operating subsidiary Mellow Hope through its exclusive business partner Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd has been granted H1N1 license on September 24, 2009 by SFDA (China Authority) http://eng.sfda.gov.cn/eng. Mellow Hope is the exclusive agent of Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd for International marketing and sales.

30 Sep 2009

Non-human primate study results of Restanza released

Advanced Life Sciences Holdings, Inc., today announced positive top-line results from a pivotal, non-human primate study involving its novel, once-a-day, oral antibiotic Restanza(TM) (cethromycin) demonstrating statistical significance at a 90% survival rate against an inhaled lethal dose of plague.

30 Sep 2009

SeraCare Life Sciences awarded new contracts for HIV research

SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. today announced that the Company has been awarded two new contracts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and that a third existing contract has been expanded by the NIH to support federally-funded HIV research and testing. These contracts represent a combined $10.8 million in new funding if all options are exercised over the life of the contracts.

30 Sep 2009

Université Laval unveils Treatment Compliance Chair to improve population health

The Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval sees the creation of the Treatment Compliance Chair as a means to help improve population health and well-being. Medication is a part of everyday life for many Quebecers.

30 Sep 2009

Also in global health news: Drought in East Africa; improving food processing in Africa; Hajj pilgrims must take polio vaccine; fighting insecticide-resistant mosquitoes

"A severe and persistent five-year drought" is pushing "[m]ore than 23 million people ... towards severe hunger and destitution across East Africa, international aid agency Oxfam has warned as it launches a £9.5 million [about $15 million] emergency appeal," the U.K. Press Association reports (9/29). According to Reuters/New York Times, "Malnutrition is now above emergency levels in some areas and hundreds of thousands of valuable cattle are dying" (Wallis, 9/29).

30 Sep 2009

Reuters examines how HIV vaccine trial results will guide future studies

Reuters reports on how the results of an experimental AIDS vaccine, which showed modest potential for preventing infection, are leading researchers back "to the drawing board" as they try to better understand how the AIDS vaccine works.

30 Sep 2009

The still elusive malaria vaccine

A deadly disease, malaria afflicts 350-500 million people worldwide each year and kills more than a million people. Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, the disease occurs in more than 100 countries and territories, with at least 40 percent of the world's population at risk.

30 Sep 2009

EnWave receives R&D funding to develop REV dehydration technologies

EnWave Corporation (TSX VENTURE:ENW)(FRANKFURT:E4U) ("EnWave" or "the Company") today announced that it has received research and development funding from three separate Canadian federal and provincial government agencies totaling $370,000 to continue the Company's development of its Radiant Energy Vacuum ("REV") dehydration technology for food, food cultures, and biopharmaceuticals.

30 Sep 2009

Study reveals that most Americans will refuse FDA authorized emergency use H1N1 flu vaccine

A majority of Americans would not take an H1N1 flu vaccine or drug additive authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and University of Georgia study. The study, available online today in Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, found that fewer than 10 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to take such a vaccine or drug and nearly 30 percent remained undecided.

30 Sep 2009

Total Wellness ready to meet increased demand for the seasonal flu vaccine

Omaha-based Total Wellness, a leading provider of corporate health and wellness services, encourages employers – both large and small – to follow recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which encourages employees to receive flu shots this fall.

30 Sep 2009

Aetna announces first-dollar coverage for H1N1 flu vaccine administration

Aetna announced today that it will provide first-dollar coverage for the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine for all of its fully-insured health plan members, and for all members of self-funded plans unless directed otherwise by the plan sponsor. Aetna is offering this coverage even in instances where members’ plans do not include coverage for preventive care or have limits on such coverage.

30 Sep 2009

Dynavax commences Phase 3 trial for HEPLISAV hepatitis B vaccine

Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq:DVAX) today announced the initiation of a Phase 3 registration trial for HEPLISAVTM hepatitis B vaccine in individuals with chronic kidney disease. A second registration trial, a Phase 3 lot-to-lot consistency trial, is expected to begin in early 2010. HEPLISAV is an investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine designed to provide increased, rapid protection with fewer doses than current licensed vaccines.

29 Sep 2009

Also in Global Health news: News outlets explore AIDS vaccine research; chloroquine resistance unraveled; authorities contest maternal mortality report

The Associated Press examines the role of the Thai participants in the recent clinical trial of an experimental HIV vaccine which showed modest potential for preventing infection. "Nearly 16,000 Thais ignored the false rumors that they were being infected by the AIDS virus, and overcame their fears of becoming social outcasts to participate in trials of the first vaccine found to prevent infection with the deadly virus," the news service writes (Ahuja/Casey, 9/27).

29 Sep 2009

AAPS Annual Meeting to discuss new research and technologies in pharmaceutical sciences

More than 8,500 individuals from the field of pharmaceutical research are expected to attend this year's AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition November 8 - 12, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California.

29 Sep 2009

BDI Pharma's proprietary flu vaccine supply program SecuriFLU successful

BDI Pharma, Inc., the fastest growing national wholesale distributor of biotech therapies, announced today the success of its proprietary supply program SecuriFLU. The program provides ordering solutions for customers who require quick, easy access to online ordering for flu vaccine. Customers may access brands from multiple manufacturers offering a full range of age indications.

29 Sep 2009

Walk-in flu shots to lure customers into drugstores

Americans may be as likely to get a flu shot at one of the nation's largest pharmacy chains as in a doctor's office or clinic. That should not be surprising, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information. The nation's major drugstores have been using flu shot programs to earn revenue and to draw customers in the store to make other purchases, an indirect revenue strategy that Kalorama Information predicted in its reports on the retail clinic phenomenon in recent years.

29 Sep 2009

World Federation of Neurology awards UT Southwestern director the first Medal for Scientific Achievement

Dr. Roger Rosenberg, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been awarded the first Medal for Scientific Achievement by the World Federation of Neurology.

29 Sep 2009

New measles vaccination methods to reduce costs and improve safety

Worldwide, there are estimated to be 10 million cases of measles and 197,000 deaths from the disease each year. While vaccines exist to protect children against measles, the vaccines are often difficult to store, costly to transport and may be prone to contamination when shipped to developing countries.

29 Sep 2009