Schering-Plough works with WHO to provide developing countries with flu vaccines
Schering-Plough is to collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide access to pandemic influenza vaccine technology to developing countries.
Schering-Plough is to collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide access to pandemic influenza vaccine technology to developing countries.
Under the agreement, the Nobilon division of Schering-Plough, which focuses on developing vaccines for respiratory, traveller’s and sexually transmitted diseases, has granted WHO a non-exclusive licence to develop and sell seasonal and pandemic live, attenuated, influenza vaccines (LAIV), produced on embryonated chicken eggs.
WHO will be permitted to grant a sub-licence to vaccine manufacturers in developing countries working within the framework of the WHO Global Vaccine Action Plan. These manufacturers will be able to provide vaccines to developing countries royalty-free.
Schering-Plough says egg-based LAIV technology is specifically considered attractive for this purpose because the manufacturing technology process is easier to transfer, capital investment is lower and yields are higher, compared with inactivated influenza vaccines.
The WHO Global Vaccine Action Plan seeks to expand influenza vaccine manufacturing capacity in developing countries and enhance the global supply for pandemic vaccines.