Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. has been accepted as a new member of the Influenza Vaccine Supply (IVS) international task force.

A specialized group within the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the IVS was created in February 2002 to assist business leaders in ensuring adequate flu vaccine production capacity in the event of a pandemic, and to provide advice to health authorities regarding vaccination recommendations and delivery strategies.

The IVS member companies represent more than 90 per cent of global influenza vaccine production, and are all involved in efforts to ensure production can meet the demands of a pandemic outbreak. They include Crucell's partner in its epidemic and pandemic flu vaccine programs, Sanofi Pasteur (formerly known as Aventis Pasteur), together with Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Baxter Vaccines, Berna Biotech, Biken, Chiron Vaccines, CSL Ltd, Denka Seiken, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, ID BioMedical, Kaketsuken, Kitasati Institute, MedImmune and Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

IVS chairman Luc Hessel of Sanofi Pasteur MSD said, "New vaccine production technologies have emerged as an important consideration in influenza pandemic preparedness, and Crucell's expertise in cell-based vaccine production will be particularly relevant in that context."

"With the Crucell-Sanofi Pasteur collaboration set to progress to the clinic in 2005 with our PER.C6-based flu vaccine program, we are clearly determined to make a substantial contribution to the fight against the threat of a flu pandemic," said Crucell's Chief Scientific Officer Jaap Goudsmit. "We believe major concerted efforts, such as that incorporated in IVS, will be crucial if we are to solve this public health challenge of growing proportions, and we are proud to be a part of it," Goudsmit added.