Novartis announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has granted prequalification for all three of its influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccines for supply to United Nations (UN) agencies: the cell culture-based and MF59 adjuvanted vaccine Celtura, the egg-based and MF59 adjuvanted vaccine Focetria as well as the egg-based A(H1N1) vaccine manufactured using the seasonal Fluvirin platform. In addition to granting prequalified status for Novartis' three influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccines, WHO has also granted prequalification for the company's trivalent seasonal Fluvirin vaccine.

WHO prequalification facilitates purchasing through UN agencies and thus enhances access for developing world countries to Novartis A (H1N1) 2009 vaccines that meet unified standards of quality and safety. Novartis has worked closely with WHO under WHO's expedited procedure for evaluating pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccines to ensure rapid prequalification of its A (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccines.

With WHO prequalification for all three of our A (H1N1) 2009 vaccines, we have expanded our commitment to contribute to the prevention of A (H1N1) 2009 influenza in all countries around the world, said Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Prequalification of the adjuvanted vaccines is an important milestone to increase vaccine supply due to the proven antigen and dose sparing potential of the MF59 adjuvant. It is the only oil-in-water adjuvant supported by more than 12 years of post-marketing safety data that includes commercial distribution of more than 45 million doses. The adjuvant has also been studied in randomized clinical trials and observational studies involving 124,000 individuals including children, adults, and elderly; and was first licensed in the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluad in Italy in 1997. Fluad is currently licensed in Europe for use in individuals 65 years of age and older.

Novartis recognizes the public health need for better access to medicines and vaccines in developing countries.

Celtura is an innovative adjuvanted, cell culture-based, inactivated subunit influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons six months of age and older against influenza disease caused by the novel pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus.

Focetria is an adjuvanted, egg-based, inactivated subunit influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons six months of age and older against influenza disease caused by the novel pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus.