Novavax inks deal with NIH on H1N1 flu vaccine

Novavax Inc moved a step closer to developing a vaccine for the newly-discovered H1N1 flu virus, and said it signed a deal with the National Institutes of Health to jointly evaluate the vaccine.

The small viral-vaccine maker said it produced the first batch of H1N1 virus-like particles (VLP) in May, three weeks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the genetic sequence of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, Novavax said.

“The company has committed necessary resources to respond as rapidly as possible to construct and manufacture VLP vaccine against this new H1N1 influenza virus,” Chief Executive Rahul Singhvi said.

Novavax is currently running mid-stage trials on two vaccines that target seasonal influenza and the H5N1 flu strain.

BANGALORE (Reuters)