COMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM, May 15, 2009 - Baxter International Inc. confirms that the United Kingdom Department of Health has entered into an agreement with Baxter to secure a supply of prepandemic A/H1N1 vaccine.
 

“This agreement adds to the Department of Health’s efforts to protect the United Kingdom’s population from the threat of a pandemic,” said Harry Keenan, country general manager, Baxter United Kingdom.

Baxter is in contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies regarding the current A/H1N1 influenza outbreak, and is also actively monitoring announcements and changes in the pandemic alert level. The WHO has set up a pandemic vaccine supply group that meets weekly and Baxter is part of that group.

 
Baxter's research and development, manufacturing capability and pandemic planning expertise should allow the company to efficiently develop candidate vaccines against potentially emerging influenza viruses. Baxter believes that its Vero cell technology can safely and reliably deliver vaccines in pandemic and interpandemic situations as the company endeavors to address this global public health issue.

Using this Vero cell technology, Baxter has received European Medicines Agency (EMEA) approval for a mock-up pandemic vaccine called CELVAPAN, the brand name for the company’s pandemic vaccine. The qualification, development and manufacturing processes used in gaining mock up licensure for CELVAPAN will apply as we use this new influenza A/H1N1 virus strain to develop and produce a vaccine. The CELVAPAN EMEA licensure allows for fast track approval of a pandemic vaccine containing an actual pandemic strain.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a WHO Collaborating Center, has provided samples of the virus strain to Baxter. Baxter is currently working on a vaccine using its Vero cell culture. Baxter’s Vero cell technology may allow more rapid production and delivery of pandemic vaccines. At this point the company is taking all appropriate steps necessary to prepare for a large-scale vaccine production.

About Baxter International Inc.

Baxter International Inc. through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with haemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.