Chiron initiates phase I/II study of cell culture vaccine for flu

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Oct. 25 - Chiron Corp. announced Tuesday that is has initiated phase I/II study on an investigational cell culture-derived influenza vaccine in the United States.

A cell culture vaccine may offer significant advantages over traditional manufacturing methods by eliminating the dependence on chicken eggs for production, Chiron said in a news release. The removal of egg-supply lead times would enable flexible and faster start-up of vaccine production in the event of a supply shortfall or avian flu pandemic.

"Flu cell culture, along with our research on avian pandemic influenza vaccines and adjuvants, could contribute to a flexible and cutting-edge infrastructure to meet current and future influenza threats and help save lives," Dan Soland, president of Chiron Vaccines, said in the news release.

Chiron also has completed enrollment of a second phase III study of an investigational flu cell culture vaccine in Europe. The first phase III study, conducted in 2004, met safety and immunogenicity endpoints, officials said.

The Emeryville, Calif.-based company filed an investigational new drug application for flu cell culture vaccine in the United States last year, after regaining its U.S. rights to the technology.

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