Flu Vaccine- Optaflu Approved By EU

Written by OJ Fagbire

Thursday, 14 June 2007

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Novartis’ new flu vaccine Optaflu®, the first flu vaccine produced through a Novartis proprietary cell line instead of through conventional chicken eggs, has received European Union approval in all 27 members states as well as in Iceland and Norway on
June 13, 2007.

What really makes Optaflu shine is not just what it does, but how it was produced. It was produced using Novartis’ proprietary cell culture technology instead of the tradition use of chicken eggs. With this new system of vaccine production Novartis is able to produce viral antigens faster and with more flexible then before. It also allows for a
quicker response to potential pandemic influenza threats.

"Optaflu marks the first major innovation in influenza vaccine manufacturing in over 50 years”, remarked Dr. Jörg Reinhardt, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, “This vaccine…. would provide for a more flexible and reliable production process…. meeting the ongoing need for seasonal influenza vaccines”.

Novartis is quick to point out some of the benefits that its proprietary cell technology has over conventional chicken egg vaccines such as:
-People allergic to eggs and egg products will not have to worry about Optaflu.
-Regardless of the avian flu virus, Optaflu offers a reliable alternative to other vaccines that might not be available if the chicken gets sick.
-Additives such as antibiotics and thiomerosal that are used in egg-based vaccinations are eliminated.
-Not all viral stains can be reproduced in chicken eggs, which means there are many viruses out there that do not have a vaccine. With Novartis’ technology vaccines can now be developed.
-The technology allows the vaccine to be closer to the original virus, which means the immune system could build up a stronger resistance then virus that are more altered.

Now that Optaflu has approval as a vaccine for the seasonal flu, it is expected to be ready in Germany and Austria for the 2007-2008 flu season, and 2008-2009 for the rest of the EU countries, with a submission to the US for approval anticipated for 2008.

About Novartis

Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is a division of Novartis focused on the development of preventive treatments and tools. The division is comprised of two activities: Novartis Vaccines and Chiron.

Novartis Vaccines is the world's fifth-largest manufacturer and second-largest supplier of influenza vaccines in the US. The division's products include influenza, meningococcal, pediatric and travel vaccines.

Chiron, the blood testing and molecular diagnostics business, is dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the development of novel blood-screening tools.

For more information, please visit http://www.novartisvaccines.com.

Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Its goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative-products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life.

In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world.

For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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