Novartis to create synthetic genomics-based flu vaccines
8 October 2010 00:00 in Pharmaceutical Company Product News
Novartis is to utilise groundbreaking synthetic genomics technology in the development of new influenza vaccines in the future.
The company has allied with Synthetic Genomics Vaccines Inc on a three-year partnership to create a bank of artificially-constructed seed viruses, which can be used to develop vaccines when a flu outbreak is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Currently, vaccine production is dependent on the WHO providing live reference viruses, which can increase the time it takes to create new treatments.
Using the synthetic technology, Novartis will be able to accelerate the production of influenza seed strains and cut vaccine production times by up to two months, which could be crucial during a pandemic outbreak.
Rino Rappuoli, head of research for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, said: "Our research strategy has always been to apply new vaccine technologies and innovation to deliver better prevention methods and meet patient needs."
Last week, the company was given a Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommendation for its new avian flu vaccine Aflunov to be approved in Europe.
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