20.nov.07
From a press release
QUEBEC City ? Medicago today announced
additional positive results from a preclinical study of its H5N1 Influenza
Virus-Like Particles ("VLP") vaccine. Medicago previously reported that its
proprietary VLP vaccine stimulates a significant seroprotective immune
response against the lethal Indonesia strain of the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus
in mice who received doses as low as 1 microgram (ug). The Company has now
generated additional data showing that a strong protective immune response is
achieved against this virus at even lower doses of only 0.1 ug.
"These unprecedented data position Medicago at the forefront of influenza
vaccine development," said Andy Sheldon, President and CEO. "A typical dose
for a pandemic flu vaccine is 15-30 ug. If we are able to reproduce these
results in human clinical trials, our technology has the potential to
significantly increase the world's currently limited vaccine manufacturing
capacity, allowing for the protection of a greater number of people in the
event of a pandemic influenza outbreak."
"This 0.1ug dose is amongst the lowest doses ever recorded," said Dr.
Louis Vezina, Medicago's Chief Scientific Officer. "At this very low dose,
Medicago's VLP vaccine generated neutralizing antibody levels in mice three
times higher than the minimal level required to obtain protection against an
influenza infection. Based on these results, we will continue studies to
determine the lowest effective dose"