Protein Sciences Prepared to Combat the Latest Potential Pandemic Flu Virus

MERIDEN, Conn., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Protein Sciences announced today that it had completed development of the vector required to manufacture a vaccine to protect against the new and deadly H7N9 Bird Flu and is prepared to commence manufacturing within a few days of receiving orders for the vaccine.

It has been possible to move quickly and safely to develop the H7N9 vaccine because we use modern, proprietary, recombinant technology that enables us to develop vaccines for potentially deadly viruses without the use of a live disease virus and, therefore, without any risk to personnel.

We could manufacture the vaccine in our Pearl River, NY facility that we leased from Pfizer in November 2012.  In just 100 days we have been able to renovate the facility, restore it to full operating condition for our technology and manufacture three lots of antigens for our seasonal influenza vaccine, Flublok® that was approved by the FDA in January 2013.  Significant help in the process has been obtained from the State of New York and Rockland County and from current and former Pfizer personnel who have been incredibly helpful and supportive.

Manon Cox, President and CEO of Protein Sciences said, "We are excited that we have been able to move so quickly on the H7N9 vaccine.  We have consistently been first to have vaccines for potential pandemics, including manufacturing the first pandemic vaccine in 1997-98 in response to the Hong Kong Bird Flu.  We are very grateful for support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who provided us with a killed H7N9 virus that allowed us to start the process."  She added, "Our Pearl River manufacturing facility has sufficient capacity to allow us to manufacture more than twice the number of doses of pandemic influenza vaccine in a six month period than is required by our contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)."

About Us

Protein Sciences Corporation is a vaccine development and protein production company that is dedicated to saving lives and improving health through the creation of innovative vaccines and biopharmaceu­ticals.  

On January 16, 2013, the U.S. FDA approved Flublok, the world's first recombinant protein-based vaccine for the prevention of seasonal influenza disease, for use in adults 18-49 years old. 

Flublok and its sister vaccine, Panblok®, that is designed to protect against pandemic influenza, have been developed in partnership with BARDA through Contract No. HHS0100200900106C. 

Learn more at www.proteinsciences.com and www.flublok.com.

SOURCE Protein Sciences Corporation