05.mar.07
New York Times/Associated Press
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Pandemic-Vaccine.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
LONDON -- GlaxoSmithKline PLC was cited as saying that a potential flu pandemic vaccine based on a strain of the H5N1 bird flu from Vietnam works against the Indonesian version of the virus. The vaccine was developed with an adjuvant (a component used to stretch the active ingredient) exclusive to GlaxoSmithKline. Results proved the adjuvant could increase the number of vaccine doses by 10 times, which would be crucial in a pandemic situation, when demand would far outstrip supply.
The story explains that one GlaxoSmithKline study measured the levels of antibodies in 400 adults, after some of them were given two shots of the vaccine. People inoculated with the vaccine tested had strong antibody levels that could potentially fight off the H5N1 Indonesian virus in addition to the Vietnamese virus.
While encouraging, this is not the first time that cross-protection has been seen. Other companies, such as Novartis SA and Sanofi Aventis have previously reported similar results. More than a dozen companies worldwide are working on potential flu pandemic vaccines.