Novartis H1N1 vaccine ‘displays strong immunity’

Novartis has revealed that its MF59 adjuvanted cell culture-based vaccine, developed for use against the H1N1 virus, allows for strong immunity in those it is administered to.

The company’s first pivotal trial of the treatment has demonstrated a strong and potentially protective immune response in 80 per cent of the 100 candidates in the trial after just one dose.

After two doses, 90 per cent of participants displayed an immune response, the study showed.

Dr Andrin Oswald, chief executive of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, commented: “The study suggests that while two doses seem to provide better protection, one dose of our adjuvanted Celtura vaccine may be sufficient to protect adults against the swine flu.”

Larger trails have not been planned, involving over 6,000 children and adults involving both cell culture and traditional egg-based vaccines, the company revealed.

This news comes after Novartis was granted European commission approval for its severe persistent allergic asthma therapy Xolair (omalizumab) last month.