press releases
IDRI in the news
publications
At IDRI, our mission is to translate science into global health solutions. We develop vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutic products that address the world's most neglected infectious diseases.
| |
IDRI Awarded $790,200 Grant from US Government to Develop Pandemic Flu Vaccine With Cantacuzino Institute
Seattle, WA | December 3, 2010
The Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) today announced it has received
a $790,200 grant from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development
Authority (BARDA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The grant enables technology transfer between IDRI and the Cantacuzino
National Institute of Research and Development for Microbiology and Immunology
(Bucharest, Romania), with the goal of producing a pandemic flu vaccine. The
proposed vaccine will be developed using adjuvant formulation production
methods developed at IDRI and pandemic influenza antigen from the Cantacuzino
Institute.
According to the World Health Organization, a flu pandemic could result in a
staggering number of deaths—anywhere from 2 to 7.4 million globally. Adjuvants,
or immunostimulants, can improve the bodyʼs immune response to diseases like
influenza and reduce the amount of vaccine needed for protection (dose-sparing).
The use of adjuvants could allow for expansion of vaccine supply to meet the
necessary global demands during a pandemic.
"Adjuvanted influenza vaccines have the dual advantage of enhanced
immunogenicity and valuable antigen sparing, both crucial in saving lives during
pandemics," commented Dr. Gabriel Ionescu, General Director of the Cantacuzino
Institute in Bucharest, Romania.
IDRI, with its history of public-private partnerships and international collaborations,
is well positioned to effectively team up with those organizations involved in the
development of pandemic influenza vaccines.
"We believe our continued investment in innovative technologies for global health
could provide a significant contribution toward achieving adequate supplies of
pandemic flu vaccine, not only in the US, but in all countries, should an outbreak
occur," commented Dr. Christopher Fox, Principal Investigator at IDRI.
About IDRI
The Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) is a Seattle-based not-for-profit organization committed to applying innovative science to the research and development of products to prevent, detect, and treat infectious diseases of poverty. By integrating capabilities, including early stage drug discovery, preclinical testing, manufacturing, and clinical trials, IDRI strives to create an efficient pathway bringing scientific innovation from the laboratory to the people who need it most. For more information, visit www.idri.org.
IDRI contact:
Erik Iverson | 206.518.6280 | media@idri.org
About IDRIʼs Adjuvants
Adjuvants are compounds used to improve the bodyʼs immune
response to vaccines. Adjuvant technology is proving invaluable in the
development of vaccines for serious diseases for which vaccines are
not currently available, including malaria and HIV.
Adjuvants are a key research component of IDRIʼs malaria,
tuberculosis, leishmaniasis and leprosy vaccine development
programs—supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the
National Institutes of Health, and the American Leprosy Missions.
About the Cantacuzino Institute
Established in 1921, the Cantacuzino National Institute of Research and
Development for Microbiology and Immunology is the sole institution in Romaniaʼs
public health sector which successfully integrates national reference laboratories,
research, and manufacturing of biological products. Based on this approach, the Institute has produced the countryʼs seasonal influenza vaccine since 1971.
|
|
