Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella has told MarketWatch that North Carolina is on its short list of three states as a site for a new, $400 million facility to manufacture avian-flu vaccine. The new plant will utilize cell-based culturing technologies to speed production of vaccines. The current process uses eggs to make vaccines and takes six to nine months. Novartis won a $221 million contract from the U.S. government to develop new vaccine technology. Novartis is investing billions in vaccines and completed the acquisition of Chiron in April. Interestingly, Vasella ruled out California and Massachusetts as site options.
- here's the report on the plant from MarketWatch
ALSO: A new study indicates that two generic drugs could prove useful in combating avian flu. Article (WSJ sub req.)