Pandemic flu vaccine

Medicago has developed a H5N1 vaccine using its innovative manufacturing technologies that use plants as a bioreactor which can overcome most of the current pitfalls associated with traditional egg-based technologies. Firstly, the use of plants instead of eggs for the manufacturing of influenza vaccines avoids the supply issue of eggs in the event of massive culling of chickens, or, if the influenza virus is lethal to embryonated eggs. Also, when using plants, there is no need for strain adaptation therefore vaccine production can be initiated within 14 days after the genetic sequence the target influenza virus is known. This is in contrast with all current manufacturing technologies which rely on strain adaptation, a process that requires an additional 4-6 months before vaccine production can be initiated. Medicago recently reported positive results from its Phase II clinical trial with its avian flu H5 pandemic vaccine candidate. The vaccine was found to be safe, well tolerated and the results were among the most effective of the industry.