Protein Sciences Corporation receives contract to make vaccines

The US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Protein Sciences Corporation a $35 million contract to produce a swine flu vaccine. This method may be able to produce vaccines faster than the normal methods by looking into more advanced methods of production.

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said:
“The technology has advanced in recent years to a point that we believe it could help meet a surge in demand for U.S.-based vaccine for seasonal and pandemic flu. We want to use the technology to help our nation respond to emerging infectious diseases.”

Read the full story here.

To connect with more professionals in the Vaccines field, join our Vaccines Development Forum Group on LinkedIn or join us in Boston September 23-25 for the Vaccines Development Forum.

Share this article with your social network, just click below to share now!

Share |

Ebola Fighter AVI Biopharma Gears Up for Biodefense Contracts

According to Luke Timmerman of xconomy.com, he recently heard from CEO Leslie Hudson about the latest on the Ebola treatment program.

Timmerman reports that this month, the U.S. Department of Defense plans to conclude a public solicitation for business opportunities to get a contract to make RNA-based drugs for Ebola and Marburg viruses, Hudson says. The contract specifically states that it must be an RNA therapeutic ready for clinical trials, not a different kind of treatment like a vaccine or a monoclonal antibody, Hudson says. RNA-based therapies, sometimes known as next-generation antisense or gene-silencing drugs, are thought to hold great potential to block the underlying mechanisms of disease in ways that previous therapies can’t.

What other viruses and "superbugs" should the US Department of Defense focus on? With the impending pandemic of the swine flu, should the efforts be placed on immediate defense on this danger?

Share this article with your social network, just click below to share now!

Share |