Recombinant vaccine from Protein Sciences receives FDA approval
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Protein Sciences Corporation’s vaccine Flublok for the prevention of seasonal influenza in adults 18 to 49 years of age. Diamyd Medical holds about 8 percent of the shares in Protein Sciences Corporation.
Flublok is a recombinant protein-based seasonal influenza vaccine and the first influenza vaccine manufactured using recombinant technology that has received marketing approval by the FDA. Protein Sciences Corporation is planning to have a limited launch of the product in February 2013 with the full launch occurring in time for the 2013/14 influenza season. More information can be found at www.proteinsciences.com or www.flublok.com.
About Protein Sciences Corporation
Protein Sciences Corporation, founded in 1983, is a privately held biotechnology company located in Meriden, Connecticut, USA. The Company focuses on the development and commercialization of recombinant vaccines and biopharmaceuticals based on the Company’s patented manufacturing platform BEVS (Baculovirus Expression Vector System). Protein Sciences’ lead product candidates are Flublok against seasonal influenza, and Panblok against pandemic influenza.
Protein Sciences is one of only a few companies in the world to develop recombinant vaccines produced in non-mammalian cells using genetically modified baculovirus. Some advantages compared to traditional vaccine manufacturing are that it requires less lead time to manufacture, the products are not produced in eggs and therefore do not contain egg derivatives, and the manufacturing does not require the use of live influenza virus, thimerosal or antibiotics.
Protein Sciences also partners with select companies on product development and manufacturing, and sells proteins for research purposes. The Company is for example the contract manufacturer of the active ingredient GAD for Diamyd Medical’s antigen-based diabetes therapy Diamyd®.
Diamyd Medical holds about 8 percent of the shares in Protein Sciences Corporation. On August 31, 2012, the carrying amount of this holding was MSEK 28.4.
For more information, please contact:
Peter Zerhouni, President and CEO Diamyd Medical AB
Phone: +46 8 661 00 26. E-mail: press@diamyd.com
About Diamyd Medical
Diamyd Medical was founded in 1996 and is active in the field of pharmaceutical development. Diamyd Medical is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The Company’s development project consists of the protein GAD65 for the treatment and prevention of autoimmune diabetes. A Swedish researcher-initiated Phase II study is ongoing to evaluate whether GAD65 can prevent type 1 diabetes in children who are at high risk of developing the disease.
Diamyd Medical also has holdings in the gene therapy company Periphagen Holdings, Inc. (USA), the vaccine company Protein Sciences Corporation (USA) and the diagnostics company Mercodia AB (Sweden).
Diamyd shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX (segment Small Cap) in Stockholm (ticker: DIAM B) and on OTCQX in the US (ticker: DMYDY) administered by the Pink OTC Markets and the Bank of New York Mellon (PAL). Further information is available on the Company’s website: www.diamyd.com.
This information is disclosed in accordance with the Swedish Securities Markets Act, the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act, or the requirements stated in the listing agreements.
Diamyd Medical AB (publ)
Karlavägen 108, SE-115 26 Stockholm, Sweden. Phone: +46 8 661 00 26, Fax: +46 8 661 63 68
E-mail: info@diamyd.com. Reg. no: 556530-1420
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