Progress with human H5N1 vaccines: a perspective from industry

Abstract

With the ongoing widespread circulation of avian H5N1 influenza viruses and the threat of pandemic influenza an ever-present reality, it is essential that those charged with protecting public health continue to focus intently on this urgent issue. As part of the response to this pandemic threat, research-based influenza vaccine manufacturers have made rapid progress with the research, development and testing of new vaccines and have greatly expanded their capacity to manufacture these products in the last few years. With the research and development phase now reaching completion, regulators have approved several prototype ‘mock-up’ pandemic vaccines and a number of ‘prepandemic’ H5N1 vaccines. As a consequence, the world is better prepared than it has ever been to counter an influenza pandemic. However, despite these advances, many policy, logistical and practical issues must be resolved for the population to benefit from these breakthroughs. In particular, the global community must establish the infrastructure required for population-wide immunization, secure appropriate vaccine supplies and undertake sufficient vaccine stockpiling to protect against the first wave of a pandemic.

Keywords::

• H5N1
• influenza
• pandemic
• prepandemic
• vaccine

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of the individual International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) Influenza Vaccine Supply task force members to the achievements of the influenza vaccine manufacturers described in this publication, and for their guidance in the compilation of this paper.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Bram Palache is an employee of the IFPMA IVS member company Solvay Biologicals. Ryoko Krause is an employee of the IFPMA. Rob Budge is a consultant employed by the IFPMA. The following influenza vaccine manufacturers are members of the IFPMA IVS task force: Baxter, Biken, CSL Limited, Crucell, Denka Seiken, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Kaketsuken, Kitasato Institute, MedImmune (AstraZeneca), Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, sanofi pasteur MSD, Schering Plough, Sinovac and Solvay Biologicals. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript. We thank Rob Budge for his assistance with preparing the manuscript.

Notes

IFPMA IVS: International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations Influenza Vaccine Supply.

From [101].