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Microbix granted patent on its Vaccine Technology
Microbix granted patent on its Vaccine Technology.
About this update from Microbix Biosystems Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nTORONTO, March 21 /CNW/ - Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX:MBX) announced\ntoday that it has been granted a patent by the Canadian Patent Office for its\nVaccine Technology. This technology holds the promise of significantly\nboosting global production of influenza vaccines.\n\n\n"This is a major milestone for Microbix as we move towards\ncommercializing this important technology," said William J. Gastle, Chairman\nand CEO of the Company. "This is the first of a series of patents we expect\nwill be granted in international markets where influenza vaccines are\nmanufactured."\n\n\nLast year, an independent laboratory confirmed that the Microbix' vaccine\ntechnology delivers a two-fold increase in the yield of human influenza virus\nfrom eggs. The independent evaluation was conducted by Dr. Todd Hatchette, the\nDirector of Virology and Immunology at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences\nCentre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Hatchette is a specialist in the field of\ninfluenza virus.\n\n\nAnnual global vaccine production capacity is currently only 350 million\ndoses, far short of any potential pandemic requirement. Microbix' technology\nnot only offers the potential to significantly increase flu vaccine\nproduction, but will also speed up development of vaccines in response to new\nflu strains - both important factors in combating possible future pandemics.\n\n\nIn its 2006 Global Action Plan to Increase Vaccine Supply, the World\nHealth Organization stated that the first priority for the influenza vaccine\nindustry is to improve production yields. The WHO also recognized that\ncompanies are currently working "independently of each other" and should\ncollaborate in a more constructive way.\n\n\n"Demand for seasonal influenza vaccine supply outstripped capacity again\nin 2006 and is a situation likely to remain for a number of years due to\ngovernment policies that are raising population vaccination rates. Our\ntechnology offers an opportunity to expand capacity cost effectively and\nquickly," said Mr. Gastle.\n\n\n"The WHO Plan highlights the consequences of a pandemic emerging in this\nenvironment of limited capacity," noted Mr. Gastle. "Every option, including\nour technology, should be used to head off severe shortages."\n\n\nThe global market for flu vaccines is g...