imu gets licence attention

Friday, May 11, 2007Print This Page
Intervet's Bird Flu Vaccine Receives EU License
- Intervet, a leading animal health company, received approval for its bird flu (avian influenza) vaccine Nobilis(R) Influenza H7N1. As a result, Europe now has a licensed vaccine to protect birds against the H7 field strain.




Paul van Aarle, Director Institutional Sales at Intervet said: "It is necessary to be prepared for potential outbreaks caused by the H7 virus. Therefore Intervet developed this product and applied for European registration. Fortunately the CVMP/EMEA took the same position and reviewed the vaccine under the accelerated registration procedure. This is an excellent example of how industry and regulators can take their joint responsibility towards society."


The vaccine contains inactivated virus, and has to be injected in order to get a full immune response. Intervet research is investigating the possibilities for a new vaccine type for mass application avoiding injection.

It is important to differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals. Birds vaccinated with H7N1 produce a different set of antibodies than those birds infected with other variants of the H7 field strain. These antibodies can be monitored using specific diagnostic tests.

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Following receipt of the final proof of concept trial results several international animal health companies have expressed interest in the vaccine. Imugene has provided certain vaccine data to allow them to understand the vaccines’ characteristics and commercial advantages. Discussions so far have been solely on the science behind the Imugene vaccine. Imugene intends to continue to develop the bird flu vaccine prior to offering licenses. This should maximise the license value for shareholders.
About the Imugene avian influenza vaccines
Imugene is developing two vaccines – one for broiler (meat producing) birds and the other for breeding and egg layer birds. The commercial requirements for broilers and breeders or layers vary. The main aim for a commercial bird flu vaccine for broilers is to provide immunity early in a bird’s life as broilers reach market weight by 42-49 days of age. Layer birds and birds used for broiler breeding need longer lasting immunity.
An effective orally administered vaccine could protect the world’s poultry industry from avian influenza outbreaks and halt the spread to Australia, Europe and the US.
A commercially viable vaccine to control outbreaks must be safe, effective and able to be quickly and easily administered on a large scale.
Imugene’s vaccine under development:
• allows authorities to differentiate between infected and vaccinated birds
• delivers only a portion of flu genetic material ensuring the vaccines are safe by preventing mutations or recombination
• is cost effective for mass administration to entire poultry sheds probably as a drinking water additive
• is specific to the H5N1 avian influenza but can be readily adapted to protect against other bird flu virus strains
• does not require each bird to be injected as does most exiting treatments