Would-be partners wage angry feud
The angry exchanges between Emergent BioSolutions and Protein Sciences keep getting nastier. Both companies now accuse each other of breaking their $78 million merger pact, and the accusations are
Fauci says HIV vaccine requires a new approach
The deeply confused state of HIV vaccine research was underscored by NIAID chief Anthony Fauci's recent decision to halt a planned human trial of an experimental jab. In an interview, Fauci pointed
Acambis plots growth after $549M buyout
Sanofi-Aventis' announcement earlier this week that it is buying the UK's Acambis for $549 million is fresh evidence of a buoyant vaccine market. The French drug company is paying a 65 percent
Vaccine may offer protection from black plague
An experimental vaccine created from genetically engineered plant cells appears to be effective against the Black Plague, which has bedeviled the world for centuries and is listed as a top bioterror
NIAID backs Emergent work; Antigenics reports a loss;
Alzheimer's vax eliminated plaque, not dementia
Researchers are trying to find out why a vaccine for Alzheimer's would be able to eliminate the beta-amyloid plaque long considered responsible for the disease without actually curing the disease.
Merck invests $300M in vaccine expansion
Merck's decision to pump $300 million into an expansion of its Durham, NC vaccine facility is seen by analysts as part of a coordinated effort to solidify a leading role in a booming global vaccines
Dynavax inks universal vaccine pact with Novartis
Dynavax Technologies and Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics are teaming up on an effort to develop a new universal flu vaccine. Novartis Vaccines, which includes the old Chiron ops it bought out, will
Tobacco used to create new cancer vaccine
A new cancer vaccine made from genetically engineered tobacco leaves has been found safe in a small, early-stage trial. The vaccine also spurred the immune systems of 11 out of 16 volunteers in the
HIV trial scrapped; FDA: Gardasil safe and effective;
Vaccine Research Government officials have scrapped plans for a major human trial of a new HIV vaccine, still convinced that there is considerable basic research work that needs to be done before
U.K. expects superbug vaccines within 10 years
The UK's chief medical officer is predicting that new vaccines will be available within five to 10 years that can protect hospital patients against deadly superbugs that kill thousands of people
Alzheimer’s vax skirts deadly side effects
Scientific American is reporting on the successful advance of a preclinical Alzheimer's vaccine that combines small amounts of amyloid beta and interleukin-4, which is delivered in an inactivated
Vical reports breakthrough with bird flu vaccine
San Diego- based Vical is reporting early-stage success with a new bird flu vaccine that relies on engineered bacteria to produce genes of the H5N1 virus. The DNA is combined with an adjuvant in a
Brain cancer vaccine a success in mid-stage trial
An experimental dendritic cell vaccine for glioblastoma multiforme--a lethal brain cancer--has demonstrated a successful immune response in a key study. And following a vaccination with chemotherapy
CDC details side effects reported on Gardasil
The CDC says there have been about 8,000 reported incidents of adverse effects due to Gardasil vaccinations in the U.S. More than 11 million doses of Gardasil were distributed last year. The most
Genocea tackles next-gen pneumococcus vaccine
Xconomy's Luke Timmerman profiles the work of Genocea Biosciences, which is developing a low-cost, next-gen pneumococcus vaccine that can outperform the blockbuster Prevnar. Seattle-based PATH has
GeoVax readies mid-stage AIDS vaccine trial
Atlanta-based GeoVax Labs is planning to launch a mid-stage study of its AIDS vaccine this fall. The Emory University spin-off says that the NIH study would recruit 225 volunteers to help test the
Emergent accuses biotech execs of wrecking buyout pact
Rockville, MD-based Emergent BioSolutions has filed suit against Protein Sciences, saying the vaccine developer never planned to follow through on a planned $75 million acquisition agreement.
