Schering-Plough and Who to improve influenza vaccine access

Schering-Plough will collaborate with the World Health Organization (Who) to help developing countries gain access to influenza vaccine manufacturing platforms.

The company’s human vaccine business unit Nobilon signed the agreement granting Who a non-exclusive license to develop, register, manufacture, use and sell the treatment that is produced on embryonated chicken eggs.

It can then be sub-licensed to producers to supply the medication to the public sector in certain locations royalty-free.

Fred Hassan, chairman and chief executive officer of Schering-Plough explained the arrangement exemplified the firm’s commitment to providing wide access to drugs.

He commented: “The avian influenza virus is already affecting several developing countries, making pandemic influenza vaccine preparedness a global health priority.”

Kenilworth-based healthcare company Schering-Plough creates therapies to improve the lives of people worldwide.

Within the firm, Nobilon works to produce and market human vaccines, concentrating on respiratory, travellers’ and sexually-transmitted infections.

One of its key areas of proficiency is cell culture production of viruses, which includes influenza.