Aventis has entered into an agreement with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), to produce an investigational influenza vaccine based on a potential pandemic virus strain.

Aventis Pasteur, the human vaccines business of Aventis, has agreed to produce 8000 doses based on two pilot lots of vaccine containing an H5N1 influenza virus strain - the so-called avian strain - that circulated in Southeast Asia late last year.

"Last year's outbreak of avian influenza served as a stark reminder that an influenza pandemic remains a real threat," said David J. Williams, chairman and chief executive officer of Aventis Pasteur. "As the world's largest producer of influenza vaccine, it is important for us to partner with the government to expand our knowledge of how to prepare a safe and effective vaccine in as short a timeframe as possible. This important project will help us gain that experience."

Williams said he hoped to identify additional opportunities for working with governments around the world on related initiatives.

Production will take place at Aventis Pasteur's facility in Swiftwater, PA. The vaccine will be manufactured according to NIAID specifications. Clinical trials for the vaccine will be conducted by the NIH under an investigational new drug application issued by the US FDA to the NIAID.