Vical boasts progress in bird flu vaccine
October 21st, 2006
Vical Inc, one of the main researchers into bird flu drugs and vaccines, has announced that a trial of its avian influenza DNA vaccine candidate has shown very promising results in protecting ferrets against a lethal strain of the highly pathogenic virus. Previous results, says the San Diego company, have also proven that the vaccine might be successful in making a body immune against the disease. The substance in question uses two different influenza virus proteins, as well as a specific H5 bird flu protein, with a special adjuvant being added for added efficiency. Human testing is expected to commence in the following weeks.