Smaller Company Entering Flu Vaccine Race

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A small company from Meriden, Connecticut offers competition for a flu vaccine compared to pharmaceutical giants.

Protein Sciences Corporation has less than 50 employees, and is close to gaining for a new method in developing a flu vaccine.

GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis AG use mammal cells are used to generate whole flu viruses, which are then modified to make influenza vaccine.

Protein Sciences' method involves inserting flu genes into cells from a corn-eating caterpillar. The cells are then induced to make proteins that will trigger a protective immune response in humans.

Protein Sciences may get U.S. market clearance for a seasonal vaccine by 2008. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has offered the company an expedited, 6-month review of their application, which usually takes 1 year to perform.

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