FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/
-- Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX) and Aviron (Nasdaq: AVIR) today
announced they have signed a worldwide multiyear supply agreement in which
Becton Dickinson will supply its AccuSpray(TM) non-invasive nasal spray
delivery system for administration of Aviron's novel FluMist(TM) intranasal
influenza vaccine. Financial terms were not disclosed.
FluMist(TM) a live, attenuated influenza virus, is delivered to the mucous
membrane of the nose where it can stimulate production of mucosal and
circulating antibodies against influenza. In June, Aviron submitted a Product
License Application/Establishment License Application for FluMist(TM) to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aviron is seeking U.S. licensure for
FluMist(TM) to prevent influenza and its complications in children and adults.
In addition, the company is seeking licensure for FluMist(TM), when
coadministered with inactivated vaccine (flu shots), in high-risk adults such
as the elderly.
Under terms of the supply agreement, Becton Dickinson will be the
exclusive supplier of the AccuSpray(TM) system to Aviron through the
2001-02 flu season. The agreement includes plans for a capacity expansion to
accommodate production of 50 million units. The AccuSpray(TM) system is a
patented, proprietary, non-invasive nasal delivery system designed to be
patient-friendly and simple to use, making it easy for health care providers
to administer FluMist(TM). The AccuSpray(TM) system has been used by Aviron
to administer FluMist(TM) in its clinical trials.
FluMist(TM) has been tested in approximately 5500 individuals aged
12 months to 81 years, as part of a Collaborative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) between Aviron and the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Disease (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"Becton Dickinson has provided the nasal delivery systems to all of our
FluMist(TM) trials beginning in 1995," said J. Leighton Read, M.D., Aviron's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are also using the AccuSpray(TM)
system for our Phase 2 clinical trial of Aviron's intranasal croup vaccine
targeting parainfluenza virus (PIV-3). Becton Dickinson provides a
substantial expertise in the development of novel drug delivery systems and
high volume manufacturing."
"Becton Dickinson is looking forward to a long term, broad relationship
with Aviron," said Werner De Backer, Worldwide President of Becton Dickinson
Pharmaceutical Systems. "The AccuSpray(TM) system demonstrates Becton
Dickinson's commitment to the development of innovative drug delivery systems
beyond traditional needle-based drug delivery as we develop products to help
people live healthy lives through innovations in immunization. Becton
Dickinson's commitment to innovation in immunization is again seen in our
broad partnership with UNICEF for the elimination of Tetanus Toxoid."
Aviron is a biopharmaceutical company based in Mountain View, CA focused
on prevention of disease. The company's goal is developing vaccines, which
offer cost-effective prevention of a wide range of infections that affect the
general population. The majority of Aviron's products under development are
live vaccines against viral infections. FluMist(TM), an intranasal influenza
vaccine, is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Other products for respiratory conditions include parainfluenza (PIV-3) and
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Also under development are vaccines for
cytomegalovirus (CMV) and genital herpes (HSV-2). Aviron is also developing,
in collaboration with SmithKline Beecham, a subunit vaccine against
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, a major cause of infectious mononucleosis.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
performance of Aviron. Actual results may differ materially from those
suggested here. Additional information concerning factors that could cause
such a difference is contained in Aviron's Annual Report on Form 10-K for year
ending December 31, 1997.
Becton Dickinson, headquartered in Franklin Lakes, NJ, is a global medical
technology company that manufactures and sells a broad range of medical
supplies and diagnostic systems for use by health care professionals, medical
research institutions and the general public. The company employs
approximately 18,000 people in more than 40 countries. For its most recent
fiscal year the company reported revenues of $2.8 billion.
This press release also contains certain forward-looking statements (as
defined under Federal securities laws) regarding the performance of Becton
Dickinson, including future revenues, products and income, which are based
upon current expectations of Becton Dickinson and involve a number of business
risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from
anticipated results described in any forward-looking statement. Factors that
could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to,
competitive factors, changes in regional, national or foreign economic
conditions, changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates, delays in
product introductions, Year 2000 issues, and changes in health care or other
governmental regulations, as well as other factors discussed herein and in
Becton Dickinson's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
To receive an index and copies of recent press releases, call Aviron's
News-On-Call toll-free fax service, 800-758-5804, extension 114000.
Additional information about the company can be located at
http://www.aviron.com.
SOURCE Aviron
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Related links:
http://www.aviron.com
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com or
fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 114000
CONTACT:
media, Karen Gilbert of Aviron, 650-919-6578;
or media, John Bluth of Fleishman-Hillard, 212-453-2429; or
investors, Fred Kurland, 650-919-6666, or Lyn Christenson,
650-919-3716, both of Aviron; or J.J. Costagliola, Director of
Sales, 201-847-4726, or Gerhard Mayer, Marketing Manager,
201-847-4735, both of Becton Dickinson
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