MERIDEN, Conn., Nov. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein Sciences Corporation, makers of Flublok® Influenza Vaccine, announced today that they have been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for the development of a next generation adenovirus vaccine. Adenovirus infection is a major cause of acute respiratory disease in U.S. military recruits. The existing vaccine is effective but contains live wild type adenovirus that is capable of being transmitted to others. Under this award, Protein Sciences will apply its proprietary BEVS platform technology to develop a protein-based vaccine designed to protect against the two major types of adenovirus, Types 4 and 7, without using live adenovirus.
“We are very pleased to be working with the DoD to develop a modern adenovirus vaccine,” said Indresh Srivastava, Vice President of Process and Analytical Development at Protein Sciences and Principal Investigator of the grant. “Adenovirus affects a large population every year, and our BEVS platform is well suited to address the challenges associated with the existing vaccine. This program is yet another way that we are continuously working to save lives and improve health.”
Adenoviruses are common causes of respiratory illness. The incubation period is typically 4-5 days after which people who become infected experience high fever, cough, nasal congestion, headache and chest pain typically lasting 3-10 days.
About Protein Sciences
Protein Sciences specializes in vaccine development and protein production. Our mission is our inspiration: to save lives and improve health through the creation of innovative vaccines and biopharmaceuticals.
Flublok, the world’s first recombinant protein-based vaccine for the prevention of seasonal influenza disease, was approved by FDA in January 2013. Flublok is the only flu vaccine made in a 100% egg-free system using modern cell culture technology, making it unnecessary to use an infectious influenza virus or antibiotics in manufacturing. Flublok is highly purified and does not contain any preservatives (e.g., thimerosal, a mercury derivative), egg proteins, gelatin or latex. In addition, Flublok contains three times more antigen than traditional flu vaccines (3x45mcg hemagglutinin protein versus 3x15mcg hemagglutinin protein)*. Flublok is a perfect copy of the virus coat and is not subject to the egg-adapted mutations associated with low vaccine effectiveness (see Skowronski et al. (2014) PLOS ONE 9(3), e92153).
Healthcare professionals wishing to order Flublok should contact one of the following distributors:
- FFF Enterprises: 800-843-7477 www.myfluvaccine.com
- Cardinal Health: 866-677-4844 http://www.cardinal.com/us/en/SPD/Ordering
- McKesson: 877-MCK-4FLU mms.mckesson.com
- Henry Schein: 1-800-772-4346 www.henryschein.com
Learn more at www.proteinsciences.com and www.flublok.com.
Flublok Safety Information
Flublok is approved for people 18 and older to prevent influenza disease. The most common side effect from Flublok is pain at the site of injection. Headache, fatigue or muscle ache may occur. Tell the doctor if you have ever experienced Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) or have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of Flublok vaccine. Vaccination with Flublok may not protect all individuals. Clinical effectiveness in adults 50 and older is based on the immune response elicited by Flublok and not on demonstration of decreased influenza disease. Please see the complete Package Insert available at www.flublok.com or call 203-686-0800 for more information.
*Flublok demonstrated a higher antibody response to the A strains during 2 clinical trials in adults 50 years old. The B strain antibody response was comparable to traditional trivalent vaccines.
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SOURCE Protein Sciences Corporation
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