The problem

The avian H5N1 influenza virus is now spreading among the wild bird population in Europe, and infections of humans have already reached the borders of continental Europe. Only a small number of cases of transmission to humans have been recorded to date, but that could change very quickly if the virus adapts to exploit humans as hosts more readily. There is an urgent need to develop effective vaccines against this growing threat, both for seasonal prevention of influenza, and to tackle the risks of a global pandemic.

Overview:

PANFLUVAC will provide the scientific basis for developing safe and effective vaccines to combat seasonal influenza and influenza pandemics.

The project will:

• Use existing technologies to create effective vaccines that produce both local and systemic immune responses
• Establish the basis for intranasal and parenteral vaccines to meet future demands
• Investigate novel adjuvants to be included in new vaccines to improve the immune responses they elicit

Contribution to policy development:

• PANFLUVAC carries the potential to make Europe a world leader in influenza prevention and control policies.
• It will make direct contacts with policy-makers to allow fast incorporation of results into anti-influenza policies.

Project deliverables

• Effective H5N1 and whole virus vaccines – from January 2008
• Evaluation of intranasal and parenteral administration – July 2008
• Clinical trial evaluations – December 2008-July 2010
• Knowledge platform on immunological correlates and correlates of protection – July 2009
• Dossier on proposed H5N1 vaccines formulated with new adjuvants – July 2010

Dissemination

• Project website – from January 2007
• Publication of results in scientific and trade journals – as available
• Presentations at major conferences – as opportunities arise
• Direct contacts with relevant policy-makers and industrial contacts – continuous
• Press releases and articles in the popular press – at appropriate intervals

Technical information

Project acronym: PANFLUVAC
Project’s official full title: Efficacious vaccine formulation system for prophylactic control of influenza pandemics
Research priority: Health determinants and the provision of high quality and sustainable health care services and pension systems (in particular in the context of ageing and demographic change)
Specific webpage: http://www.panfluvac.org
Proposal/contract no: 044115
Start date: January 2007
Kick off meeting: January 2007
Completion date: December 2010
European Commission scientific officer: Cornelius Schmaltz, Cornelius.SCHMALTZ@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator:
Name: Federal Veterinary Office of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs
Abbreviated name: FDEA/FVO
Address: Institut für Viruskrankheiten und Immunprophylaxe (IVI), Sensemattstrasse 293, CH-3147 Mittelhäusern
Country: Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)31 848 93 61
Fax: +41 (0)31 848 92 22
Website: http://www.bvet.admin.ch/ivi

Partners

Name: Crucell N.V.
Abbreviated name: CRU
Country: Netherlands

Name: Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control
Abbreviated name: NBSB
Country: United Kingdom

Name: Retroscreen Virology Ltd
Abbreviated name: Retroscreen
Country: United Kingdom

Name: The Gade Institute, Haukeland University Hospital
Abbreviated name: UoB
Country: Norway

Name: HPA Colindale, Enteric, Respiratory and Neurological Virus Laboratory
Abbreviated name: HPA
Country: United Kingdom

Name: National Influenza Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Abbreviated name: NIC/ISS
Country: Italy

Name: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH
Abbreviated name: HELMHOLTZ-HZI
Country: Germany

Name: SCIPROM Sàrl, PSE-C
Abbreviated name: SCIPROM
Country: Switzerland