Universal flu vaccine in the offing
Wednesday, 24 November, 2010
Canberra-based biotech Gamma Vaccines reported today that it is ready to start human clinical trials of a universal flu vaccine which it hopes will soon deliver long term protection against multiple pandemic strains with just a few squirts of a nasal spray.
Called GammaFlu, the product was developed using proprietary technology invented by viral immunologists with the Australian National University’s (ANU) John Curtin School of Medical Research.
Gamma Vaccines is hoping that GammaFlu would be administered as a one-off dose providing years or decades of protection, in much the same way as people are now immunised against diseases like polio or yellow fever.
A specialist in influenza and avian (bird ) flu, Gamma Vaccines said that it has chosen Indonesia as the site of trial, due to its proximity to Australia, but more importantly its large population, and therefore extreme, vulnerability should a major new flu pandemic occur there.
Money for the development of GammaFlu has come from the federal and ACT governments.
Lead exposure linked to memory problems, even decades later
Historic lead levels from the era of leaded petrol may be contributing to cognitive issues 50...
New vulnerability found in the aging brain
An international research team has discovered that in the aging brain, certain proteins are lost...
Genetic weak spot found in hard-to-treat cancers
Research shows that blocking minor splicing can markedly slow tumour growth in liver, lung and...
