Universal flu vax works in early-stage trial

VaxInnate's universal flu vaccine has produced positive results in an early stage trial at the University of Texas at Galveston. Researchers there said that VaxInnate's M2e universal vaccine demonstrated its safety and immunogenicity in a group of 60 young adults. The Phase I trial was conducted with funds obtained from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"We'd characterize this influenza vaccine candidate as very promising, based upon the immune responses and tolerability we saw in the clinical trial participants," said UT's Christine Turley. "UTMB is committed to further studies of the vaccine candidate, which has the potential to be a safe, highly effective and much-needed option to prevent seasonal and pandemic influenza A."

The company uses a combination of toll-like receptor-mediated immune enhancement and recombinant bacterial production of vaccine antigen. That approach is intended to speed production in the event of a pandemic.

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