MedImmune boosted by new data on FluMist

MedImmune shares got a boost after the Maryland biotech announced the results of a new study showing some big advantages of FluMist over injected flu vaccines. Children under 5 receiving FluMist had 55 percent fewer cases of flu compared to a group getting the standard jab. FluMist is already approved for everyone who's 5 to 49.

It's all good news for MedImmune, which has struggled mightily to build a market for FluMist after initially registering a less-than-enthusiastic response from the public. MedImmune's execs right now may be spending more time mulling the news that Carl Icahn has accumulated a stake of 2.8 million shares in the biotech. Icahn recently spurred a shakeup at ImClone after gaining seats on the board.

- read the report on FluMist from the AP

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