GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedImmune, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MEDI) announced today that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has
decided not to establish a large-scale, national flu vaccination program this
season and, therefore, will not be offering FluMist(TM) (Influenza Virus
Vaccine Live, Intranasal) in its pharmacies this year. Previously, Wal-Mart
had intended to offer FluMist to its customers this flu season in select
pharmacies after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in
June.
Armando Anido, R.Ph., MedImmune's senior vice president of sales and
marketing, stated, "While we are disappointed with the loss of Wal-Mart from
our retail channel for this season, we appreciate the commitment, excitement
and effort they put forth in trying to bring FluMist to their customers this
year. For a company that has never offered a national flu vaccination program
before, the compression of time this year became a critical roadblock. That
being said, we look forward to continuing to work with their team to create an
outstanding FluMist program at Wal-Mart stores in the future.
"FluMist is currently available at over 14,000 outlets throughout the
U.S., including other retail pharmacies and physicians offices, as well as
hospitals and employers," continued Anido. "We're pleased with the strong
initial response in consumer awareness for the vaccine following the launch of
our advertising campaign three weeks ago, and believe we are well along our
way in beginning to educate people about the impact of the flu. With the
season just underway, we are tackling obstacles and capitalizing on
opportunities on a daily basis. We continue to strive toward achieving our
objectives and are reconfirming our previously stated financial guidance of
$120 million to $140 million in FluMist-related revenues in this launch year."
The flu is a recurrent epidemic infectious disease that significantly
affects and disrupts the lives of healthy children and adults. Each year in
the U.S., an estimated 17 million to 50 million people, many of whom are
otherwise healthy individuals, are infected with the influenza virus.
Influenza results in approximately $3 billion to $15 billion annually in
direct and indirect costs, including approximately 70 million missed workdays
and approximately 38 million missed school days. The most effective way to
help prevent influenza is vaccination.
About FluMist
FluMist is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease
caused by influenza A and B viruses in healthy children and adolescents, 5 to
17 years of age, and healthy adults, 18 to 49 years of age.
In placebo-controlled clinical trials, the most common solicited adverse
events in healthy children (n=214) included runny nose/nasal congestion,
cough, irritability, headache, decreased activity, sore throat, fever (oral
temperature >100 degrees F), muscle aches, chills, and vomiting. The most
common adverse events in healthy adults (n=2,548) included runny nose,
headache, sore throat, tiredness/weakness, muscle aches, cough, and chills.
There are risks associated with all vaccines, including FluMist. FluMist
does not protect 100% of individuals vaccinated, or protect against viral
strains not represented in the vaccine. FluMist is not indicated for
immunization of individuals less than 5 years of age, or 50 years of age and
older. FluMist is contraindicated in persons with hypersensitivity to any
component of the vaccine, including eggs; in children and adolescents
receiving aspirin therapy or aspirin-containing therapy; in individuals with a
history of Guillain-Barre syndrome; and in individuals with known or suspected
immune deficiency. The safety and efficacy of FluMist have not been
established in pregnant women or for patients with chronic underlying medical
conditions, including asthma or reactive airways disease; the vaccine should
not be administered to these patients. See Prescribing Information for
indications and usage, dosage and administration, and safety information.
For more information about FluMist, call 1-877-FluMist or visit
www.flumist.com.
About MedImmune, Inc.
MedImmune, Inc., is a leading biotechnology company focused on
researching, developing, and commercializing products to prevent or treat
infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer. MedImmune actively
markets four products, Synagis(R) (palivizumab), FluMist(TM) (Influenza Virus
Vaccine Live, Intranasal), Ethyol(R) (amifostine), and CytoGam(R)
(cytomegalovirus immune globulin intravenous (human)), and has additional
products in clinical testing. MedImmune employs approximately 1,700 people,
is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and has additional operations in
Frederick, Maryland, as well as Pennsylvania, California, the United Kingdom,
and the Netherlands. For more information on MedImmune and its products,
visit the company's website at www.medimmune.com.
This announcement may contain, in addition to historical information,
certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such
statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain
assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from those currently
anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including risks and
uncertainties discussed in MedImmune's filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. The company is developing several products for potential
future marketing. There can be no assurance that such development efforts
will succeed, that such products will receive required regulatory clearance or
that, even if such regulatory clearance were received, such products would
ultimately achieve commercial success. The information contained in this
document is as of the date hereof and will not be updated as a result of new
information or future events.
SOURCE MedImmune, Inc.
-0- 10/17/2003
/CONTACT: Investors: Will Roberts, +1-301-527-4358 or John Filler,
+1-240-632-4086; or Media: Jamie Lacey, +1-240-632-4035, all of MedImmune,
Inc./
/Web site: http://www.medimmune.com
http://www.flumist.com/
(MEDI WMT)
CO: MedImmune, Inc.; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
ST: Maryland
IN: MLM HEA REA
SU:
MB-JV
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