GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, has been awarded a contract from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the development of pre-pandemic and pandemic flu vaccines.
With a value of at least $63.3 million, the contract supports GSK's ongoing pandemic vaccine research in using the company's innovative adjuvant technology in combination with antigens to induce a strong immune response.
Under the terms of the contract, GSK will engage in research and development leading towards licensure of antigen-sparing pre-pandemic and pandemic vaccines with adjuvant that will help the US Government extend the limited North American supply of pandemic flu vaccines to protect larger populations in the event a flu pandemic.
The 5-year contract also gives the US Government the option to fund an additional $44 million of future clinical development programmes related to antigen-sparing pandemic vaccines.
"A limited global supply capacity of flu antigen makes it critical that we use innovative adjuvant system technology to produce a new generation of flu pandemic vaccines," said David Stout, president of pharmaceuticals at GSK. "GSK's research in adjuvant technology over the past two decades uniquely positions our company to develop adjuvants designed to boost immune response and give broader protection while using smaller amounts of antigen. This award leverages our adjuvant expertise, and supports GSK's short and long-term vision of helping governments around the world in their pandemic preparedness efforts."
In a separate action related to pandemic preparedness GSK also announced that the company has begun shipping up to 15.5 million treatment courses of its antiviral Relenza. The Relenza shipments are part of GSK's agreement with the Federal Government announced last year to provide the US Government and the states with Relenza for building their flu pandemic stockpiles. GSK also has started to ship Relenza to retail pharmacies to fulfil patient prescriptions for seasonal flu treatment and prevention.