Development Programs > Preclinical Development Programs > Influenza

Influenza

Universal Flu Vaccine

Our novel Universal Flu vaccine is currently in preclinical studies and is based on our proprietary second-generation immunostimulatory sequences (ISS) which target Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9). Our Universal Flu vaccine is designed to increase potency, provide a cross-protective effect regardless of the strain of the influenza virus, and enable dose sparing.

This vaccine may provide enhanced cross-protective immunity. Our Universal Flu vaccine includes ISS chemically linked to nucleoprotein (NP), a conserved influenza antigen, to offer cytotoxic t-cell protection, and to the extracellular domain of the matrix 2 protein (M2e), another conserved influenza antigen, to offer cytotoxic cross-protective antibodies. This M2e/NP – ISS is mixed with the trivalent influenza vaccine, to offer seasonal neutralizing antibodies.

Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is supplying the trivalent influenza vaccine component for clinical and commercial use and has an exclusive option to negotiate a joint development and commercialization agreement. Our research and development program for our Universal Flu vaccine has been partially funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Commercial Opportunity
Human viral influenza is an acute respiratory disease with high morbidity and mortality in annual epidemics. There are an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 viral influenza-associated deaths per year in the United States. Pandemics occur infrequently, on average every 30 to 40 years, and virologists anticipate a new pandemic strain could emerge.

We estimate the current worldwide market opportunity for influenza vaccines is over $2 billion annually. Current flu vaccines are directed against specific surface-antigen proteins that vary significantly each year, requiring the vaccine to be reformulated and administered annually. The efficacy of these seasonal flu vaccines can be compromised if they do not match the strain present during the flu season. Our Universal Flu vaccine is designed to provide protective immunity against divergent influenza strains as well as increase antibody responses to the conventional vaccine.