ID :
156159
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 15:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/156159
The shortlink copeid
UNIVERSAL FLU VACCINE TO AID ASEAN COUNTRIES
ADELAIDE, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- A University of Adelaide researcher is
leading the way on the production of a universal flu vaccine.
"The frequent arising of new influenza strains represents the greatest challenge
to health authorities as it renders currently available vaccines ineffective,"
says Dr Mohammed Alsharifi, the Head of the Vaccine Research Group at the School
of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide.
"While annual vaccine reformulation appears to be effective against closely
matched strains of influenza, the current method is not effective against
drifted strains as well as new pandemic strains, as illustrated by the recent
H1N1 pandemic. This raises the need for a new technology," he says in a
statement.
Dr Alsharifi says the recent experience of swine flu and the continuing fears of
the medical, scientific and world health communities of the sudden emergence of
a deadly bird flu strain, means that a new approach to flu vaccines needs to be
contemplated.
"What we need is some protection against all influenza virus A strains,
including any emergent pandemic virus," he says.
A new technology, invented by Dr Alsharifi (University of Adelaide) and
Professor Arno Müllbacher (Australian National University ), has helped to
generate a new influenza vaccine – GammaFlu™ – that provides crossprotection
against current influenza viruses as well as any other unknown strains that may
arise in the future.
"Our technology is expected to change the world of vaccination, as it can be
implemented to produce many other vaccines," Dr Alsharifi says.
To translate their basic scientific discoveries into clinical application, both
scientists established the company Gamma Vaccines Pty Ltd in July 2009.
Gamma Vaccines is now commercialising its gamma-irradiated influenza vaccine to
capture part of the global market for flu vaccines, which is estimated at US$4
billion annually.
Since its establishment, the company has devised a significant Global Health
Initiative as part of its commercialisation plans, aimed at making its
technology available to developing countries.
He says Gamma Vaccines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two
Indonesian pharmaceutical companies, establishing a three-way collaboration that
will see the development, manufacturing, clinical trials and distribution of the
vaccine in Indonesia and other Asean countries.
Gamma Vaccines Pty Ltd was established in 2009 by Dr Alsharifi and Professor
Müllbacher to solve one of the great challenges in infectious diseases – the
development of a ‘universal’ cross-protective influenza virus vaccine.
The company is headquartered in Canberra and has a firm commitment to Global
Health initiatives for developing countries. The company has attracted seed
investment funds and early stage innovation grants from the federal government
and the Australian Capital Territory Government to support its development of a
universal flu vaccine.
-- BERNAMA
leading the way on the production of a universal flu vaccine.
"The frequent arising of new influenza strains represents the greatest challenge
to health authorities as it renders currently available vaccines ineffective,"
says Dr Mohammed Alsharifi, the Head of the Vaccine Research Group at the School
of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide.
"While annual vaccine reformulation appears to be effective against closely
matched strains of influenza, the current method is not effective against
drifted strains as well as new pandemic strains, as illustrated by the recent
H1N1 pandemic. This raises the need for a new technology," he says in a
statement.
Dr Alsharifi says the recent experience of swine flu and the continuing fears of
the medical, scientific and world health communities of the sudden emergence of
a deadly bird flu strain, means that a new approach to flu vaccines needs to be
contemplated.
"What we need is some protection against all influenza virus A strains,
including any emergent pandemic virus," he says.
A new technology, invented by Dr Alsharifi (University of Adelaide) and
Professor Arno Müllbacher (Australian National University ), has helped to
generate a new influenza vaccine – GammaFlu™ – that provides crossprotection
against current influenza viruses as well as any other unknown strains that may
arise in the future.
"Our technology is expected to change the world of vaccination, as it can be
implemented to produce many other vaccines," Dr Alsharifi says.
To translate their basic scientific discoveries into clinical application, both
scientists established the company Gamma Vaccines Pty Ltd in July 2009.
Gamma Vaccines is now commercialising its gamma-irradiated influenza vaccine to
capture part of the global market for flu vaccines, which is estimated at US$4
billion annually.
Since its establishment, the company has devised a significant Global Health
Initiative as part of its commercialisation plans, aimed at making its
technology available to developing countries.
He says Gamma Vaccines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two
Indonesian pharmaceutical companies, establishing a three-way collaboration that
will see the development, manufacturing, clinical trials and distribution of the
vaccine in Indonesia and other Asean countries.
Gamma Vaccines Pty Ltd was established in 2009 by Dr Alsharifi and Professor
Müllbacher to solve one of the great challenges in infectious diseases – the
development of a ‘universal’ cross-protective influenza virus vaccine.
The company is headquartered in Canberra and has a firm commitment to Global
Health initiatives for developing countries. The company has attracted seed
investment funds and early stage innovation grants from the federal government
and the Australian Capital Territory Government to support its development of a
universal flu vaccine.
-- BERNAMA
