Astellas and UMN Pharma to develop new flu vaccines

Astellas has agreed a memorandum of understandings with fellow healthcare firm UMN Pharma over a planned influenza vaccine collaboration.

The agreement pertains to UMN-0501 and UMN-0502, two cell culture-based vaccines specified for treating avian flu and seasonal flu, respectively.

Both treatments are currently partway through the clinical trial process, with a phase III study of UMN-0501 set to commence soon, while the drugs are scheduled to be released in Japan in 2014.

Under the terms of the arrangement, UMN will be responsible for the manufacturing of the drugs, while Astellas will pay for the continuing clinical development and commercialisation of the products.

The full details of the collaboration will be finalised when the companies conclude a definitive agreement on the issue in September 2010.

Earlier this month, Astellas agreed a deal with Bayer Schering Pharma which will allow the firm to co-promote the antibiotic treatments Avelox and Avelox IV to UK hospitals.