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14/07/2008

Symposium on the Avian (H1N1) “Spanish” Influenza Pandemic of 1918:

to provide international perspectives and modern day medical lessons


Retroscreen Virology Limited, global leaders in anti-viral research, clinical trials and experimental challenge studies, are pleased to announce that they will be hosting a symposium on the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic.

The symposium, which will be held in London on Monday 10 November 2008, will feature leading virologists including Professor John Oxford, the Founder and Scientific Director of Retroscreen, Dr Jeffrey Taubenberger, NIH (Washington) and the writer and historian John M. Barry, author of the New York Times best-seller The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History. The topics under discussion include the history of influenza to global preparation for an H5N1 bird flu outbreak; current vaccines and antivirals; along with the knowledge we can apply to today’s more mobile world from previous pandemics.

Dr. Robert Lambkin-Williams, Managing Director of Retroscreen, commented: “One of Retroscreen’s ongoing projects is to investigate the molecular genetics of the 1918 influenza strain, so we are in an ideal position to host this event. We are lucky to have access to tissue samples from that outbreak which has given us a unique insight into the virus. Although the global focus has now shifted to H5N1, which is an even more serious threat, we believe that some of the lessons we learned from 1918 and the later SARS outbreak in 2003 could be important in dealing with a future outbreak. We have strong relationships with many of the most respected virologists in the world, so we are very pleased to be bringing them together to discuss issues about the 1918 pandemic that are still relevant today.”

Attendance is by registration only. Registration details will be released shortly, and further information can be found at www.retroscreen.com.

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For further information:

Retroscreen Virology Limited  
Robert Lambkin-Williams, Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 20 8709 4900
r.lambkin-williams@retroscreen.com www.retroscreen.com

Media enquiries:

Abchurch  
Stephanie Cuthbert / Simone Alves Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700
stephanie.cuthbert@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com

Notes to Editors
Retroscreen are global leaders in anti-viral research, clinical trials and experimental challenge studies. Based in London, the Company currently employs over 50 people, generating a turnover (2006/7) of approximately £5 million. Retroscreen conducts virucidal and virustatic testing, pre-clinical and clinical trails for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are developing antiviral drugs and vaccines. The Company is ISO9001 accredited and is partnered with a number of leading UK universities, including Queen Mary, University of London.

Clinical trials: Retroscreen conducts approximately five clinical trails each year, which involve several hundred candidates each, carefully selected from a database of over 4000 people. The Company offers a comprehensive service from protocol and case report form design through to effecting and co-ordinating the study, and it is currently expanding into data management and monitoring. The Company is especially renowned for its unique experimental challenge studies, conducted under strict quarantine conditions at its UK Flu Camps (see www.flucamp.com).

Pre-clinical: Retroscreen has invested in the development and optimisation of in vitro antiviral assay techniques for preclinical studies. The Company specialises in assays for respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and rhinovirus (the common cold), as well as gastrointestinal viruses and HIV among others.

Retroscreen is also part of a consortium led by QinetiQ Nanomaterials Limited, a wholly owned QinetiQ subsidiary, which is developing a range of viral treatments from nanomaterials. The two year programme, which was completed recently, was funded by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) who allocated £2 million to the project.

Furthermore, Retroscreen is the lead participant in the European Surveillance Network for Vigilance against Viral Resistance (VIRGIL), which was established with a grant of £9 million from the European Union. Virgil is a network of excellence that aims to integrate and coordinate the activities of doctors and scientists from institutions across Europe who are investigating viral resistance.

For more information on Retroscreen please visit www.retroscreen.com