Intranasal Influenza Vaccine Shows Higher Efficacy Rate Compared to Traditional Flu Shot
Phase 3 Studies Involved 4,400 Children
With a History of Respiratory Illness
SAN FRANCISCO, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data were presented today
from two Phase 3 studies showing that a live, attenuated intranasal influenza
vaccine had higher efficacy rates and a similar safety profile to the
traditional flu shot. The studies were conducted in children with a history
of respiratory illness. The data were presented at the Pediatric Academic
Societies' annual meeting in San Francisco, California.
"The deaths of 143 children during the last influenza season add to the
growing body of evidence that influenza represents an important cause of
morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population," said Edward Connor,
M.D., senior vice president of clinical development and chief medical officer
at MedImmune, Inc. "Increasing flu immunization rates and improving flu
immunization methods are important goals of the scientific and public health
communities.
"While data from previous trials with a live, attenuated influenza vaccine
showed that it had a high rate of efficacy when compared to placebo in young
children," Dr. Connor continued, "data from the studies presented this week
provide evidence that a live, attenuated influenza vaccine may have a higher
rate of protection against influenza in children when compared to the
traditional injectible flu vaccine. Further, in these studies among children
with asthma or a history of recurrent respiratory infections, no significant
differences in the rates of wheezing was observed between recipients of the
two types of influenza vaccines."
In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved FluMist(TM)
(Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal) as the first live, attenuated
intranasal vaccine to prevent the flu. The new data come from two Phase 3
clinical trials using the next generation, refrigerator-stable formulation of
FluMist, known as CAIV-T. These studies, conducted outside the U.S., are the
first large studies to directly compare CAIV-T to the injectible flu vaccine
(TIV) in preventing culture-confirmed influenza among children.
Phase 3 Clinical Trial Results
Prior to the 2002-2003 flu season, approximately 2,200 infants and
children six months through 71 months of age with a history of recurrent
respiratory tract infections received either two intranasal doses of CAIV-T or
two doses of TIV to compare the efficacy and safety of the vaccines. Children
receiving CAIV-T in this study had a 53-percent reduction in culture-confirmed
influenza compared to those receiving TIV.
In a second trial, approximately 2,200 children and adolescents from six
years through 17 years of age with a history of asthma received either one
intranasal dose of CAIV-T or one traditional dose of TIV prior to the 2002-
2003 flu season. Children receiving CAIV-T in this study had a 35-percent
reduction in culture-confirmed influenza compared to those receiving TIV.
In both trials, no significant differences were observed in the rates of
wheezing post-vaccination.
These CAIV-T studies were conducted by Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) under a
collaboration with MedImmune (Nasdaq: MEDI). On April 26, 2004 the two
companies announced that they had entered into agreements to dissolve their
collaboration. Pending federal antitrust clearance, MedImmune will assume
full responsibility for the manufacturing, marketing and selling of FluMist,
CAIV-T and all related technology.
About CAIV-T
CAIV-T is an investigational intranasal, cold-adapted trivalent influenza
vaccine. It is the next generation, refrigerator-stable formulation of
FluMist, which is a frozen, live attenuated cold-adapted trivalent influenza
vaccine. To date, the safety, tolerability and efficacy of CAIV-T has been
studied in both healthy and at-risk populations between the ages of 6 weeks
and 98 years. Some of these data were presented in October 2003 at the Fifth
Annual Options for the Control of Influenza Conference in Okinawa, Japan.
About FluMist
FluMist is the first live, attenuated influenza vaccine 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.
There are risks associated with all vaccines, including FluMist. FluMist
does not protect 100 percent of individuals vaccinated. FluMist is not
indicated for immunization of individuals less than 5 years of age, or 50
years of age and older. Currently it is unknown whether FluMist will
conclusively provide protection against circulating drifted strains.
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. 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. See Prescribing Information for indications
and usage, dosage and administration, and safety information.
About MedImmune
MedImmune 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), Ethyol(R) (amifostine), FluMist(TM)
(Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal), and CytoGam(R) (cytomegalovirus
immune globulin intravenous (human)), and has additional products in clinical
testing. MedImmune employs approximately 1,800 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 the company'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.
SOURCE MedImmune, Inc.
-0- 05/03/2004
/CONTACT: Media: Jamie Lacey, +1-301-398-4035, or Investors: Peter Vozzo,
+1-301-398-4358, or John Filler, +1-301-398-4086, all of MedImmune, Inc./
/Web site: http://www.medimmune.com/
(MEDI WYE)
CO: MedImmune, Inc.; Wyeth
ST: Maryland, California
IN: HEA MTC BIO
SU: SVY CHI TDS
JV-CD
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1570 05/03/2004 12:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com