A review of superbugs by the British government says that vaccines may play a role in combating the public health threat. More vaccinations would reduce infections, the report states, and in turn the need for widespread antibiotic use, which promotes superbug development. In the report, U.K. Treasury Minister Jim O'Neill highlighted pneumococcal conjugate vaccines as one class that could help in the fight, Reuters reports. He said that worldwide coverage with the vaccines could prevent 800,000 yearly deaths and 11 million days of antibiotic use for children. Report
> Paul Perrault, CEO of Australia's CSL, said he expects his company to be the leading flu vaccine player after 5 years of incorporating the Novartis ($NVS) flu vax unit. Report
> Merck ($MRK) vaccines head Patrick Bergstedt said the pharma plans to "invest significantly" in India and is scouting for partnerships there. Report
> El Salvador has approved Sanofi's ($SNY) Dengvaxia. Report
> Regeneron ($REGN) has joined the Human Vaccines Project, agreeing to provide scientific guidance and financial support for research aimed at better understanding human immune responses. Release
> The World Health Organization gave its prequalification approval to LG Life Sciences' 5-in-1 shot Eupenta, enabling the company to become a supplier with U.N. affiliates. Report
> Protein Sciences and UNIGEN reached an agreement that'll see UNIGEN producing Flublok in Japan, a move aimed at upping capacity to meet demand. Release