EpidemicsVaxinnate secures BARDA contract
New Jersey-based Vaxinnate Corp. said it has secured a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the research and development authority part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for up to $196.6 million to help develop its seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines
New Jersey-based Vaxinnate Corp. said it has secured a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the research and development authority part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for up to $196.6 million to help develop its seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines.
BARDA, the same authority currently working to procure medical countermeasures for the nation’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear event under Project BioShield, will provide $118 million over the first three years of the contract, with an option to extend for another two years (“BioShield projects sees vaccine, treatments successes” 4 February 2011 HSNW).
Vaxinnate is working on a recombinant vaccine that combines influenza and bacteria proteins, which is intended to trigger a strong immune response and provide protection against the flu.
“The 2009 H1N1 pandemic demonstrated the need for technologies that can provide vaccines more rapidly,’’ said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebellus. “These next generation flu vaccines hold the potential to be even more effective and to make the vaccine available sooner than existing flu vaccines by weeks and months.’’
As part of the contract, Vaxinnate will conduct studies to prove safety and efficacy as well as to validate its manufacturing process.
The privately-held company, which employs approximately 50 people, expects to add 20 new positions to help fulfill the contract.
