smallpox

Researchers test side effects of new smallpox vaccine

John Carroll — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:20:24 -0400

Researchers at the University of Kentucky are involved in a new study of an experimental smallpox vaccine being developed by Bavarian Nordic. Imvamune contains a non-replicating vaccinia virus which is intended to make the experimental vaccine safer than the existing vaccine.

Researchers are testing the vaccine's affect on patients with eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. This population can experience life-threatening side effects when exposed to the current vaccine and researchers want to gain a better understanding of the new vaccine's impact on the same group of people. The researchers will gauge their immune response and any side effects.

There's been no outbreak of smallpox in the past 31 years. But the U.S. and other countries remain concerned that terrorist groups could develop a devastating weapon if they obtain the smallpox virus. It's only known to exist in two laboratories.

- read the report in the Kentucky Herald-Leader

Bavarian Nordic launches early trial for HIV vaccine

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Denmark's Bavarian Nordic has launched a Phase I/II trial of an experimental HIV vaccine. Safety data from the study is expected by the end of this year with immunogenicity data following in the first half of next year. Researchers are building on an earlier vaccine program, hoping to stimulate a broad immune response to the majority of the HIV proteins.

"Our strong expertise in HIV vaccine development has expedited the development of the multiantigen vaccine and it is exciting that we now again are in clinical development with an HIV vaccine candidate," said Anders Hedegaard, president and CEO of Bavarian Nordic. "The HIV multiantigen program indeed benefits from the data generated in our previous HIV studies, demonstrating a unique safety profile of MVA in this high-risk population, as well as the potential to control HIV replication."

- read the press release

ALSO: Xinhuanet reports that Jean-Francois Delfraissy, director of France's National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, here has "ruled out any hope of developing a vaccine to fight HIV/AIDS in the short term, according to reliable sources." Report

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Out with old, in with new smallpox vaccine

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:59:56 -0500

With a new smallpox vaccine accumulating in federal stockpiles, the U.S. government is disposing of millions of doses of Dryvax, the old smallpox vaccine that relies on skin scrapings from infected calves. Dryvax's problems are well documented. The vaccine spurred serious side effects like heart attacks and heart inflammation. But the vaccine was also responsible for eradicating smallpox in the United States.

Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of Vanderbilt University's department of preventive medicine, described the move to dispose of Dryvax as "historic," noting that it's the country's oldest vaccine. The vaccine was developed more than a hundred years ago by a predecessor company to Wyeth Laboratories. The company stopped making the vaccine a generation ago, but the government maintained a stockpile of 15 million doses.

With the rise of bioterrorism fears this decade, though, the government set out to create a new, more effective smallpox vaccine. That effort led to the approval of Acambis' ACAM2000, which was approved by the FDA last fall and is now filling new stockpiles.

- read the article in the Los Angeles Times

Related Articles:
Biosecurity expert points to threat of smallpox attack. Report
FDA panel endorses Acambis' smallpox vaccine. Report
Acambis researching single-shot flu solution Report