Novavax Pandemic Flu Vaccine 100% Effective, in Ferrets!
by Jon C. Ogg
24/7 Wall St.
Novavax Inc. (NVAX) is up 8.5% in pre-market stock trading on positive data coming out of its pandemic flu studies. This is not being studied on humans, as ferrets are the inoculation group. Ferrets were inoculated with the company's virus-like particle vaccine made from an Indonesian strain of H5N1 avian influenza.
Ferrets are supposed to represent the most relevant influenza animal model for humans, and they were then challenged with live H5N1 virus. All ferrets that received the Novavax vaccine survived, even those that received the lowest dose. According to the Novavax, the ferrets that received Novavax's H5N1 vaccine were protected not only against the Indonesian strain of avian flu but also were cross-protected against a separate strain originating in Vietnam; and all ferrets that received the Novavax vaccine survived. The company says it is on target to file its first vaccine investigational new drug application by mid-year and it remains enthusiastic for a new vaccine candidate to take into clinic trials.
As a reminder, animals are almost always used before humans in determining safety and efficacy and this represents just the first of many hurdles for the company. Many scientists discount results in many animal studies, so this should still be considered an outstanding issue until they begin human trials and we start seeing some data. With shares up 8.5% at $3.40, that is still toward the lower-end of the 52-week trading range ($2.56 to $6.48).
Source: 247WallSt.com
RELATED READING:
- Novavax to Advance Avian Flu Vaccine Despite Government Snub
- Flu Vaccine Surplus Highlights Lack of Communication
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24/7 Wall St.
Novavax Inc. (NVAX) is up 8.5% in pre-market stock trading on positive data coming out of its pandemic flu studies. This is not being studied on humans, as ferrets are the inoculation group. Ferrets were inoculated with the company's virus-like particle vaccine made from an Indonesian strain of H5N1 avian influenza.
Ferrets are supposed to represent the most relevant influenza animal model for humans, and they were then challenged with live H5N1 virus. All ferrets that received the Novavax vaccine survived, even those that received the lowest dose. According to the Novavax, the ferrets that received Novavax's H5N1 vaccine were protected not only against the Indonesian strain of avian flu but also were cross-protected against a separate strain originating in Vietnam; and all ferrets that received the Novavax vaccine survived. The company says it is on target to file its first vaccine investigational new drug application by mid-year and it remains enthusiastic for a new vaccine candidate to take into clinic trials.
As a reminder, animals are almost always used before humans in determining safety and efficacy and this represents just the first of many hurdles for the company. Many scientists discount results in many animal studies, so this should still be considered an outstanding issue until they begin human trials and we start seeing some data. With shares up 8.5% at $3.40, that is still toward the lower-end of the 52-week trading range ($2.56 to $6.48).
Source: 247WallSt.com
RELATED READING:
- Novavax to Advance Avian Flu Vaccine Despite Government Snub
- Flu Vaccine Surplus Highlights Lack of Communication
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posted by Nico at
6:32 PM
1 Comments:
While the medical response to pandemic flu will be important to controlling its spread and limiting its toll, there are considerable non-medical issues related to flu preparedness that are essential for ensuring the continued well-being of the nation's economy. Planning for Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) is critical to maintaining
the overall viability of society. Thus, while we rightly prepare for the flu, we must be equally prepared to function during the flu.
The Center for Technology and National Security Policy of the DOD's National Defense University has prepared a number of freely-available items which can help civilians be prepared both before and during the flu. "Bird Flu and You" is a poster available in 9 languages with basic information about influenza preparedness. "Weathering the Storm" is a report with
information about planning for COOP, including instructions for carrying out "tabletop excercises" with a COOP plan.
Electronic copies of the poster are available at http://www.ndu.edu/ctnsp/Bird_flu.htm. Electronic copies of the report are
available at http://www.ndu.edu/ctnsp/Def_Tech/DTP%2038%20Weathering%20The%20Storm.pdf, and to request hard copies of the report, contact the Life Sciences group at lifesciences@ndu.edu.
Robert E. Armstrong, Ph.D.
&
Mark D. Drapeau, Ph.D.
Center for Technology and National Security Policy
National Defense University
Washington, DC
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