The wonderful Peter Yang
New swine flu vaccine developed
July 2nd 2009 05:13
Dani Cooper
ABC
An egg-free vaccine for swine flu that can be produced from scratch within weeks has been made by Australian researchers.
The vaccine, which is currently not registered for use in Australia, matches the virus found in the 10-year-old boy from San Diego who was the first US case of the illness.
Professor Anton Middelberg, of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, says it is different from conventionally produced vaccines because it is made in cell cultures instead of in eggs.
Middelberg says the advantage of the new technology, developed by US company Protein Sciences Corporation (PSC), is the speed and potency of the vaccine.
Pure protein
He says while the vaccine contains the same amount of protein as conventionally produced vaccines, it contains virus protein rather than a combination from egg and virus.
This means a single dose delivers three times as much of the virus protein as a conventional vaccine.
For those people considered at high risk this will generate a higher immune response in the body and therefore greater protection, he says.
Another advantage is because the vaccine is only made up of virus protein it opens up a variety of methods of delivery apart from injection.
Fast turnaround
Middelberg says he was amazed that the University of Queensland team could produce a batch of vaccine within two weeks of receiving the genetic construct of the virus.
"This technology shifts the timeframe [in vaccine production] from months to weeks," he says.
"The vaccine can be made quickly when a new virus emerges or when it changes, and we can turn manufacturing on and off as needed. So we can choose to make vaccine just for those at risk of severe illness."
Middelberg says the US company is looking at developing a bird flu vaccine using the same technology.
Trials
However he says no matter what technology is used to develop the vaccine, it must undergo clinical trials and overcoming regulatory hurdles.
It is expected PSC will approach the Australian Government to undertake clinical trials of the swine flu vaccine in Australia.
Australian company CSL Limited is currently undertaking clinical trials of a vaccine for the swine flu.
The Australian Government has already placed an order for 10 million doses of the vaccine once it is shown to be safe.
Company spokesman Dr Rachel David has previously told ABC News that it expects interim results from clinical trials by August.
ABC
An egg-free vaccine for swine flu that can be produced from scratch within weeks has been made by Australian researchers.
The vaccine, which is currently not registered for use in Australia, matches the virus found in the 10-year-old boy from San Diego who was the first US case of the illness.
Professor Anton Middelberg, of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, says it is different from conventionally produced vaccines because it is made in cell cultures instead of in eggs.
Pure protein
He says while the vaccine contains the same amount of protein as conventionally produced vaccines, it contains virus protein rather than a combination from egg and virus.
This means a single dose delivers three times as much of the virus protein as a conventional vaccine.
For those people considered at high risk this will generate a higher immune response in the body and therefore greater protection, he says.
Another advantage is because the vaccine is only made up of virus protein it opens up a variety of methods of delivery apart from injection.
Fast turnaround
Middelberg says he was amazed that the University of Queensland team could produce a batch of vaccine within two weeks of receiving the genetic construct of the virus.
"This technology shifts the timeframe [in vaccine production] from months to weeks," he says.
"The vaccine can be made quickly when a new virus emerges or when it changes, and we can turn manufacturing on and off as needed. So we can choose to make vaccine just for those at risk of severe illness."
Middelberg says the US company is looking at developing a bird flu vaccine using the same technology.
Trials
However he says no matter what technology is used to develop the vaccine, it must undergo clinical trials and overcoming regulatory hurdles.
It is expected PSC will approach the Australian Government to undertake clinical trials of the swine flu vaccine in Australia.
Australian company CSL Limited is currently undertaking clinical trials of a vaccine for the swine flu.
The Australian Government has already placed an order for 10 million doses of the vaccine once it is shown to be safe.
Company spokesman Dr Rachel David has previously told ABC News that it expects interim results from clinical trials by August.
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Comment by Elisabeth Fraser
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Before anyone screams "cells? What cells?" At you.
They're not using fetal Bovine or other fetal cells - they're using a technology which involves INSECT cells, They've also patented it.
Novartis and Baxter are racing each other to the ribbon as well using cell technology for swine flu. (Europe)
I think I'll pass on the vaccine, though I like their approach with cells rather than egg.
It could be a great breakthrough and I hope the companies respond to any United Nations requests for donations.
I'm a bit 'shaky' about drug companies.I took Prexige (Novartis) until it went Category I and got banned in Australia two years ago.