New technology for accelerating development of vaccines against H5N1 flu

• Flu • Feb 08, 2006



	Tweet

Technology that enables scientists to identify targets for the development of vaccines against viruses such as H5N1 in weeks rather than months has entered a pilot study at ProImmune, Oxford, UK.

ProImmune has developed REVEAL & ProVE, a novel technology that enables scientists to identify the specific antigens on viruses that can be detected by the immune system and used as targets in vaccine development. The new screening system enables researchers to analyse any protein derived from a pathogen for potential immunogenicity within only four weeks, a process that has previously taken many months to complete.

Dr. Nikolai Schwabe, CEO of ProImmune said:

“If the H5N1 virus mutates to increase its infectiousness to humans, a severe global flu pandemic could ensue. Presently no vaccine is available to treat H5N1 influenza but many companies are in the race to develop new vaccines. This new technology from ProImmune should help in ensuring a vaccine is developed rapidly as a new strain emerges.

“REVEAL & ProVE can revolutionise the discovery of new highly relevant targets for vaccines and other immunotherapy through a dramatic shortening of timescales and reduction of labour required in the process. Our pilot study could make an important contribution to the rapid development of a vaccine for avian influenza, especially given the immediacy of the medical need.”

The pilot study will explore the protein sequence of the key H5 protein in the avian influenza virus. Results from the pilot study will be published on ProImmune’s website as they emerge (http://www.proimmune.com), enabling scientists to evaluate the benefits of a clinical collaboration with the company. ProImmune’s testing products allow the measurement of relevant immune responses in clinical patient samples.

REVEAL & ProVE technology is widely applicable across many disease areas including all areas of cancer and infectious diseases, and is ideally suited to accelerate critical biodefense research.

http://www.proimmune.com

Provided by ArmMed Media
Revision date: July 4, 2011
Last revised: by Janet A. Staessen, MD, PhD



RELATED STORIES:
New version of nasal flu vaccine shows promise Chickens, swans, feathers and bird flu Tamiflu-resistant flu not spreading more widely-WHO New strep vaccine shows early promise How bad is swine flu? Without numbers, who knows? UK scientists call for more research into bird flu New flu may not spread like regular flu: studies H1N1 flu cases and death toll rise: WHO Bird flu hits India again Avian Flu Transmission to Humans May Be Higher Than Thought Thailand finds another 46 suspected human bird-flu cases Flu vaccination rates low in high-risk teens

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]

Obese patients face increased risk of kidney damage after heart surgery
- Full Story - - »»»

Low vitamin D in diet increases stroke risk in Japanese-Americans
- Full Story - - »»»

Obesity not always tied to higher heart risk: study
- Full Story - - »»»

Scientists turn skin cells into beating heart muscle
- Full Story - - »»»

Too many people get angioplasties, study suggests
- Full Story - - »»»

Viewers’ family background affects how they react to MTV shows ‘16 and Pregnant,’ ‘Teen Mom’
- Full Story - - »»»

Weight management in pregnancy with diet is beneficial and safe and can reduce complications
- Full Story - - »»»