Smallpox vaccine production extended

Bavarian Nordic is to undertake further significant investments to extend production under its Imvamune smallpox vaccine programme, as well as accelerating product development activities in its smallpox, HIV and cancer vaccine programmes in the US and Europe.

'This decision is part of our long-term strategy to develop and supply a safe smallpox vaccine,' said Peter Wulff, president and ceo, Bavarian Nordic. 'The increased interest that we have now seen in our Imvamune smallpox vaccine from governments around the world further strengthens our commitment; therefore we are actively expanding our international marketing function and intend to invest in a vaccine filling line to ensure security of supply for these customers.'

During 2005 the company expects to initiate several new clinical trials. The global clinical development programme will be further expanded to include three Phase II trials, which will result in the vaccination of more than 2000 people with Imvamune by the end of the year.

The company also says that activities are on schedule for the commercial manufacture of Imvamune at its Kvistgard site in Denmark, with production expected to begin in the summer of 2005. Meanwhile, its production facility in Berlin, Germany, has been granted manufacturing authorisation by authorities to produce clinical grade GMP materials. This will allow it to produce within its own manufacturing network large quantities of clinical trial materials for its global development programmes, with the first priority being the production of clinical materials for its HIV/AIDS multi-centre programme.