Crucell inks licensing deal; HPV vaccine requirement triggers protests;

Vaccine Research

Crucell will pocket a $2.5 million upfront fee and up to $30 million in milestones after inking an exclusive licensing deal with North Carolina-based Talecris Biotherapeutics for an undisclosed and specific protein to be produced using the PER.C6 cell line. Crucell release

Researchers at Emory University will participate in new studies of an experimental bird flu vaccine. Report

Even an imperfect vaccine could dramatically reduce the incidence of the sexually-transmitted infection Chlamydia, according to Australian researchers. Report

Novavax has launched a mid-stage clinical trial of its virus-like particle seasonal flu vaccine. Story

Results from two new clinical studies demonstrate that Prepandrix, GlaxoSmithKline's H5N1 adjuvanted pre-pandemic influenza vaccine, confers broad cross-clade immunity that is maintained when the second dose is given many months after the first dose, and even if the second dose is formulated from a different H5N1 strain. GSK release

Patients with a lethal form of brain cancer who received Northwest Biotherapeutics' DCVax-Brain in Phase I and Phase I/II clinical trials had a median survival rate that was more than double the rate for people on the standard treatment. Report

Vaccine Market

The U.S. immigration service is now requiring prospective citizens to get vaccinated for HPV. And the new requirement has swiftly triggered an angry response. Report

Merck has won FDA approval for the use of Gardasil against vaginal and vulva cancers. Report

Newborns can be protected from seasonal flu when their mothers are vaccinated during pregnancy, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Release

A failure of the Indian regulatory market is blamed for the absence of any new regulatory approvals of new vaccines this year by the World Health Organization. Report