GSK seeks FDA approval of Fluarix

GlaxoSmithKline has moved for FDA approval of its flu vaccine Fluarix. If approved, it would become the fourth flu vaccine approved for the US market and could help stabilize the market for the drug. Last season's decision to shutter Chiron's UK plant for flu vaccine eliminated half the needed supply of flu vaccine in the US. GSK sells Fluarix in 75 countries and provided some of the drug to US distributors last winter on an emergency basis.

"Right now a limited number of companies supply injectable flu vaccine to the entire nation, making the system vulnerable when there are problems with supply as we saw last flu season," said Christopher Viehbacher, GlaxoSmithKline's president of US Pharmaceuticals, in a statement.

- read this story from TheStreet.com for more on Fluarix