NasVax Ltd. (TASE: NSVX), which is developing nasal-delivery flu vaccines, has announced its entry into a new field: development of a vaccine for bid flu.
Nasvax director Dr. Itamar Shalit, an immunologist, said, “Many companies have been trying to develop a vaccine for bird flu, but without success. The usual way of developing a vaccine is to take a weakened virus, add an agent that alerts the body’s immune system, known as an adjuvent. The usual adjuvent is aluminum salt, and there are others. Nasvax will develop a vaccine on the basis of a new adjuvent called CCS/C, a molecule that we patented.”
Shalit added that, like Nasvax’s regular flu vaccine, the CCS/C molecule is a significant molecule, which enables nasal delivery of a vaccine, and improves it to make it suitable for sensitive populations, such as children or the elderly. “The CCS/C molecule is also used for other vaccines that we’re developing, such as for jaundice and anthrax. Some of these are delivered through the nose, but others are injected. However, the CCS/C molecule makes it possible to use smaller dosages for each patient,” he said.
“Globes”: The delivery of vaccines through the nose is all new to the public. I understand that you consider yourself a vaccine improvement company?
Shalit: “Exactly. Delivery through the nose is only one improvement in vaccines that our technology enables.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 15, 2006
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