August 7th, 2009
Baxter International has recently announced that they have finished the production of their first commerical batches of CELVAPAN A/H1N1 pandemic vaccine. Currently, Baxter is discussing distribution options with national health authorities, so long as they receive appropriate permission. Baxter implemented their proprietary Vero cell production technology when developing CELVAPAN.
When the World Health Organization increased the pandemic notification level to phase 6 and announced it as an official pandemic, many health authorities began to place orders for the vaccine. As a result, Baxter plans to provide their initial CELVAPAN quantities to the health authorities who have created pandemic contracts with them.
Vero cell production technology, has met all Baxter’s expectations. The technology was able to respond to the pandemic, and in return quickly produce a vaccine within 12 weeks of receiving the A/H1N1 virus strain.
Joy Amundson, corporate vice president and president of Baxter BioScience proudly stated “we are pleased with our company’s ability to meet its expected timelines in developing and producing CELVAPAN … [it] is an encouraging validation of our science, our Vero cell vaccine technology and the teamwork at Baxter in meeting this important milestone to help address an urgent public health issue.”
In an effort to abide with all regulatory authorities, requirements, Baxter is working with regulatory authorities to ensure support and approvals of CELVAPAN are achieved. Baxter produced a mock-vaccine which consisted of several pandemic strains and tested it in five worldwide clinical trials consisting of over 1300 people. Plus, over 3,500 people have been vaccinated during their ongoing phase lll study.
