H1N1
The vaccines business can often turn on a dime, and that can have a big impact on everyone in related enterprises. Meridian Bioscience learned that lesson firsthand as the H1N1 pandemic came to a screeching halt -- as far as manufacturers are concerned. Meridian had to slash its annual outlook today, noting that the rapid wind-down in orders for its upper-respiratory products resulted "in a collapse in order volumes and a likely overstock situation in many laboratories." Report
Vaccine Market
The Bill Gates-based GAVI alliance is seeking $4.3 billion to launch a series of new vaccination campaigns in the developing world. That money would save 4.2 million lives over the next five years. Report
GlaxoSmithKline announced management changes for its vaccines business. Jean Stephenne has been appointed chairman, GSK Biologicals. Stephenne will assume this role in addition to his existing position as president, GSK Biologicals. Over the next two years, operational responsibility for Biologicals will transition to Dr Moncef Slaoui. These new responsibilities will be in addition to those he currently holds as chairman of Research & Development. Release
With GlaxoSmithKline's 10 year contract to act as the sole supplier of pandemic flu vaccines to Canada drawing to a close, the country is considering striking a new deal that designates a secondary pandemic vaccine supplier who could also supply part of the country's needed seasonal flu vaccine. Story
Indian officials are investigating the deaths of four infants after they were given a measles vaccine. Story
Vaccine Research
The vaccine-developer VaxInnate announced that Thomas Hofstaetter, PhD, has been named president and CEO and Alan Shaw, PhD, who previously held that position, has assumed the newly created role of chief scientific officer and becomes chairman of the board. Release
BioSante says that its GVAX pancreatic cancer vaccine has won orphan status. Release
A decision to scrap plans to build a new HIV vaccine production facility in Canada to help researchers was spurred by financial rather than political reasons, insists the country's chief public health official. Report
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals has launched the second of two pivotal Phase III clinical trials for NicVAX, a vaccine to treat nicotine addiction and prevent smoking relapse. Release
Dynavax Technologies, which is advancing the late-stage hepatitis B vaccine Heplisav, has been given a going-concern warning by its auditors. Report