GlaxoSmithKline said it has received orders from several governments “aiming to stockpile a new candidate A (H1N1) adjuvanted influenza vaccine as a precautionary measure.” GSK said it manufacture the new vaccine, once virus seed is made available by the WHO. The first doses of the vaccine are expected to be available four to six months later, subject to regulatory approval. The vaccine “will comprise antigen of the recently isolated A (H1N1) influenza strain and also contain GSK’s proprietary adjuvant system AS03” and will require regulatory approval. GSK summarized orders to date for the new vaccine, in addition to discussions with the CDC in the U.S., to include:

– “Supplying the UK Government with 60 million doses of the candidate A (H1N1) adjuvanted influenza vaccine,

– “The French Government intend to purchase 50 million doses of the candidate A (H1N1) influenza vaccine.

– “The Government of Belgium intend to purchase 12.6 million doses of the candidate A (H1N1) influenza vaccine in order to stockpile and to protect, when needed, the total Belgian population.

– “An agreement with the Government of Finland to supply 5.3 million doses of H1N1 antigen, which is expected to be used in conjunction with the government’s existing stockpile of GSK’s adjuvant system.”

GSK noted that it “is committed to addressing the needs of developing countries with use of this candidate adjuvanted vaccine,” and said it “will convert its intended donation to the WHO of 50 million doses of H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine to the new candidate A (H1N1) adjuvanted influenza vaccine once production begins.” GSK also said that “in the future, as capacity increases, GSK will supply the candidate A (H1N1) adjuvanted influenza vaccine to developing countries under a tiered-pricing policy based on World Bank classifications and GAVI eligibility.”

http://www.gsk.com/media/pressreleases/2009/2009_pressrelease_10054.htm