Thursday, August 21, 2008

Highly Effective Flu Vaccine Developed by UTMB Researchers


Researchers from the University of Texas, through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have developed a promising universal flu vaccine, effective against several strains of flu. Flu vaccine is due for major revision, and speculation has existed that manufacturers may not be able to meet the demand in time for flu season.

Christine Turley of the University of Texas at Galveston and director of clinical trials and clinical research at the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development at UTMB is the principal investigator of the study. The vaccine, (VaxInnate M2e), according to Turley is “very promising, based upon the immune responses and tolerability we saw in the clinical trial participants… which has the potential to be a safe, highly effective and much-needed option to prevent seasonal and pandemic influenza A."

The results of the vaccine trial will be reported in October at the Interscience Conference on Agents and Chemotherapy and the Infectious Disease Society of America (ICAAC/IDSA).

Included in the trial was an evaluation of the methods used to develop and produce the flu vaccine - time being of the essence. Vaxxinate's technology is such that, should the vaccine prove successful, we can expect timely delivery of the flu vaccine to meet national and international demands.

Source:

UTMB researchers test new vaccine to fight multiple influenza strains

Related:
Flu Vaccine Due for Major Changes – First Time Recommendation from Government Advisory Board
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