PowderMed touts data for new flu vaccine

The UK's PowderMed has reported positive results for its Phase I trial of a new flu vaccine that bombards the skin with tiny particles of the flu virus to stimulate an immune response. Researchers say it was effective in triggering an immune response in all 36 volunteers who participated in the study. Their results are prompting the launch of a mid-stage study soon for both annual and avian flu viruses.

"Recent years have seen a number of new influenza vaccine approaches tested in animal model systems and in the clinic. However, this study is the first successful demonstration of immunogenicity of an influenza DNA vaccine in humans," said Dr. Hansi Dean, now with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. "The relative immunogenicity of PowderMed's DNA vaccine compared to intramuscular DNA vaccination is likely attributable to the efficiency of intracellular DNA delivery by PMED."

- here's the release for more information

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