MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In light of the publicity
following the presentation of the latest research results on FluMist(TM),
Aviron's intranasal live-attenuated influenza virus vaccine, the company would
like to provide a clarification. Data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled
study in children were presented on September 27, 1998 at a symposium during
the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy by
Robert Belshe, M.D., lead investigator for a collaborative study sponsored by
Aviron and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Results reported at the conference showed that, compared to placebo,
FluMist(TM) provided 87 percent protection against culture-confirmed influenza
during the 1997-1998 influenza season. The company would like to emphasize
that the study's findings are limited to healthy children who received
FluMist(TM). The study did not include any adult or elderly populations given
FluMist(TM). In addition, inactivated influenza virus vaccine (the flu shot)
was not given to study participants. Therefore, valid conclusions cannot be
drawn from the study regarding use of FluMist(TM) in other populations or in
comparison with inactivated vaccine.
Aviron is a biopharmaceutical company based in Mountain View, Calif.,
focused on prevention of disease. The company's goal is to develop products
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. These include
intranasal vaccines for respiratory infections and their complications --
influenza, parainfluenza (PIV-3), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and
injectable vaccines to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) and genital herpes
(HSV-2). Aviron is also developing, in collaboration with SmithKline Beecham
Biologicals, a subunit vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, a
major cause of infectious mononucleosis.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. 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 the year ended December 31, 1997.
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
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.aviron.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/114000.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 114000
CONTACT:
media, Karen Gilbert of Aviron, 650-919-6578;
or John Bluth or Louise Leavitt, both of Fleishman-Hillard,
212-453-2000, for Aviron; or investors, Fred Kurland,
650-919-6666, or Lyn Christenson, 650-919-3716, both of Aviron
|
