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13/08/2008

Funding received to develop intranasal vaccine for avian influenza

As part of a pan European Consortium, Retroscreen Virology Limited, Europe's leading contract virology research company, is pleased to announce that it has received €630,050 in funding from the seventh framework EU grant (FP7) for research into an intranasal vaccine against diverse strains of avian influenza (H5N1).

Though its primary focus is on the H5N1 strain, the Consortium plans to invest these funds into the development of a vaccine that also induces immunity against more diverse strains of the influenza virus, thereby providing greater protection than is currently available. A key objective of the study is the development of a readily available, intranasal vaccine that is effective at a low dose. Current vaccines are required in high doses and have complex manufacturing processes, so stockpiles are likely to be inadequate if a global pandemic were to break out.

The nasal mucosa is the first line of defence for airborne pathogens such as influenza. This new intranasal vaccine will raise mucosal antibodies, thus halting the virus at its point of entry. Additionally, the vaccine will induce systemic immunity within the body. A major advantage of the intranasal approach is that it avoids the use of needles, making it more user-friendly. This increases compliance as well as reducing the risks associated with syringes. The potential for self-administration could also reduce the cost of delivery; vital in countries that may be at risk of an outbreak but have limited funds.

Dr. Robert Lambkin-Williams, Managing Director of Retroscreen Virology Limited, commented: "The funding we and our partners have received from the seventh framework EU grant (FP7) is vital in helping us reach our goal of producing an effective, easy-to-use vaccine against avian influenza. The threat of a global pandemic is very real and highlights an important medical need because adequate vaccines in large supply are simply not available. We are collaborating with leading industrial and academic institutions to develop a vaccine that will not only meet this global demand but also provide cross-immunity against mutated strains of the virus."

Other Consortium members include;

  • Archimedes Development Ltd
  • University of Leicester
  • National Institute of Biological Standards Control
  • Trinity College, Dublin
  • University of Bergen
  • University of Siena
  • Evicom Ltd

- ENDS -

For further information:

Retroscreen Virology Limited  
Robert Lambkin-Williams, CEO Tel: +44 (0) 20 7756 1300
r.lambkin-williams@retroscreen.com www.retroscreen.com
Alexander J Mann, Head of IP, R&D Tel: +44 (0) 20 7756 1300
a.mann@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.

Influenza: Influenza is a viral infection of birds and mammals that affects the respiratory system. The virus typically causes symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscle pain, but severe cases can lead to pneumonia, nerve & brain damage and even death.

In the developed world, individuals at high risk of contracting influenza are usually vaccinated but as different strains of the virus mutate (a phenomenon known as 'antigenic drift'), vaccines from one year may be ineffective the next, so there is a constant need for evolving, novel therapies to be developed.

The virus spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics. In a typical year there are between three and five million cases of severe illness and up to half a million deaths globally. The cost of influenza in the US is over $10billion a year in lost productivity and associated medical treatment.

Currently the H5N1 strain of avian influenza poses the greatest global threat, and a pandemic is projected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

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

FP7 / Seventh Framework Programme: The Seventh Framework Programme is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and aims to strengthen the EU's science and technology base. FP7 supports research in selected priority areas, the aim being to make, or keep, the EU as world leaders in these sectors. The largest component of FP7 is the Co-operation Programme, which funds research involving transnational co-operation in ten areas, including Health, ICT, Energy, Environment and Nanotechnologies. The programme started in 2007 and will run to 2013.

For more information about FP7 in the UK, please visit
http://www.berr.gov.uk/dius/science/int/euro-programmes/fp7/page8390.html