GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, has been awarded a contract to supply pre-pandemic vaccines to the US strategic national stockpile. The company has received an initial $40 million order under the contract from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for bulk H5N1 antigen - the substance in the vaccines that will help produce an immune response.

Under the terms of the contract, GSK will manufacture and store bulk H5N1 antigen using its recently acquired production facilities in North America. Terms of the contract also state that GSK may be directed by HHS to formulate this bulk antigen at some point in the future. Additionally, HHS also has the option to purchase pre-pandemic vaccines together with one of GSK's proprietary adjuvant systems, which could mean that less antigen would be needed per dose to achieve a protective immune response. Funding for this contract is provided through the HHS Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Office of Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures.

"We applaud the US government's proactive steps in protecting American citizens against this potential public health threat," said David Stout, President, Pharmaceutical Operations, GlaxoSmithKline. "We are committed to helping governments and public health officials around the world effectively respond to the global threat of a flu pandemic and we are pleased to be working with the US government in its preparedness efforts."

GSK remains in active discussions with other governments to supply their public health programs and has been steadily increasing its support to flu pandemic preparedness efforts globally, leveraging the company's vaccine and anti-viral expertise.