new bird news from FierceBiotech

> Isotechnika's ISA247 has demonstrated significant efficacy against psoriasis. Report > Romark Laboratories Read more...

> As expected, Takeda is paying Abbott $1.5 billion to disband a joint venture launched 30 years ago. In the deal to break up TAP, Abbott will keep the cancer drug Lupron and 300 sales people. Read more...

Sanofi-Aventis has launched a mid-stage study of a new seasonal flu vaccine that hopes to advance a completely new method to make vaccines. The vaccine is made from cell cultures as opposed to the Read more...

China has already made tremendous inroads as a manufacturing center for the world. But now it's making Read more...

An expert panel for the FDA has concluded that Pentacel, a five-in-one vaccine made by Sanofi-Pasteur, is safe and effective. The injection is designed to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae Type B. The group did recommend follow-up studies in the event that the FDA formally approves the jab. The vaccine could replace seven of the 23 injections received by children.

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Indonesia is preparing more hospitals to take victims of a new bird flu outbreak, as one facility reports that its small isolation ward has been filled. At least one family cluster has been affected as officials report the deaths of at least four people in that country in just the past week. Japan, meanwhile, is reporting that it has confirmed the presence of the lethal H5N1 version of bird flu in poultry, its first …

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The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a total of $199.45 million to three vaccine makers in order to stockpile 5.3 million additional doses of H5N1 vaccine. The bulk of the money--$117.9 million--has been awarded to Sanofi Pasteur for 3.7 million doses of the drug. Novartis has received $40.95 million for 800,000 doses and GSK also garnered $40.6 million for 800,000 doses. "These newest vaccine purchases supplement the existing stockpile of 5.9 million doses of H5N1 …

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A new variation of the bird flu virus has emerged in Asia, possibly as a result of the massive vaccination programs that have been rolled out to stop the disease in bird populations. But health officials are emphasizing that this new bird flu strain--H5N1 Fujian-like--appears to hold no greater threats to humans than the two dominant strains that have already spread through the continent. "We don't know what is driving this," said the noted bird flu expert Dr. Robert Webster of St. Jude's …

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Vical says its bird flu vaccine proved 100 percent effective in protecting ferrets from bird flu. Vical announced earlier that two doses of DNA vaccine was effective in protecting mice and ferrets. Vical's vaccine candidate is mixed with Vaxfectin adjuvant and viral proteins. Vical says it wants to begin human trials as soon as possible.

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As part of its stepped-up efforts to control the spread of bird flu, Vietnamese authorities have created a network of 14 hospitals to identify and deal with any outbreaks among people. The country has mounted a round-the-clock surveillance effort and is stockpiling therapeutics to combat any new bird flu cases that arise. Up to 20 beds in each facility are being set aside for victims and infectious disease departments will become isolation areas in the event of new human cases. Vietnam is …

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