Aids link throws spotlight on Acambis vaccine
A smallpox vaccine produced by Acambis, the biotechnology group based in Cambridge, could offer protection against the Aids virus, US researchers have found.
Although the company was quick to point out that the research is at a very early stage and based on limited testing, the news captured the imagination of the stock market. Acambis shares rose 15p to close at 381.5p even though it will be at least seven years before the smallpox vaccine can be used in the fight against Aids, assuming it receives the requisite approvals.
The company, considered a world leader in vaccine production, said yesterday it was discussing the findings with researchers at Virginia's George Mason University.
Laboratory tests showed that blood samples from people vaccinated against smallpox were fives times less likely to become infected by the Aids virus.
Even though a different smallpox vaccine was used in the experiment, Acambis' new Acam-2000 version is likely to be the focus of future studies.
The company has a £260m contract to supply 209m doses of smallpox vaccine to the US government.
The threat of a smallpox attack by bioterrorists prompted Washington to build a stockpile before the vaccine had received regulatory approval.
The company said of the research: "Acambis considers these findings to be very interesting and that they warrant further investigation. Discussions are ongoing with GMU concerning collaborative work to corroborate the data they have produced."
Professor Ken Alibek, director of the university's centre for biodefence, said it was not known why the vaccine appeared to boost immunity to the Aids virus. "There is a strange connection between the discontinuation of the smallpox vaccine in Africa and the emergence of the HIV infection."
Scientists had discussed the possibility of a link but it had not been scientifically tested.
Sam Fazeli, analyst at Nomura, warned that it could take up to seven years before the vaccine received the necessary clearance.
"Even if successful, we do not believe smallpox vaccine sales for this indication are likely until at least 2009-10," he added.
Although the company was quick to point out that the research is at a very early stage and based on limited testing, the news captured the imagination of the stock market. Acambis shares rose 15p to close at 381.5p even though it will be at least seven years before the smallpox vaccine can be used in the fight against Aids, assuming it receives the requisite approvals.
The company, considered a world leader in vaccine production, said yesterday it was discussing the findings with researchers at Virginia's George Mason University.
Laboratory tests showed that blood samples from people vaccinated against smallpox were fives times less likely to become infected by the Aids virus.
Even though a different smallpox vaccine was used in the experiment, Acambis' new Acam-2000 version is likely to be the focus of future studies.
The company has a £260m contract to supply 209m doses of smallpox vaccine to the US government.
The threat of a smallpox attack by bioterrorists prompted Washington to build a stockpile before the vaccine had received regulatory approval.
The company said of the research: "Acambis considers these findings to be very interesting and that they warrant further investigation. Discussions are ongoing with GMU concerning collaborative work to corroborate the data they have produced."
Professor Ken Alibek, director of the university's centre for biodefence, said it was not known why the vaccine appeared to boost immunity to the Aids virus. "There is a strange connection between the discontinuation of the smallpox vaccine in Africa and the emergence of the HIV infection."
Scientists had discussed the possibility of a link but it had not been scientifically tested.
Sam Fazeli, analyst at Nomura, warned that it could take up to seven years before the vaccine received the necessary clearance.
"Even if successful, we do not believe smallpox vaccine sales for this indication are likely until at least 2009-10," he added.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Smallpox Jabs for 11m Americans
- US 'about to Start Vaccinating Millions for Smallpox'
- US may vaccinate 500,000 health workers against smallpox
- Discovery of 90m smallpox doses eases fear of attack
- US Scientists Push for Go-ahead to Genetically Modify Smallpox Virus
- Scientist who took on smallpox finds a tougher nut to crack
- Vaccine could wipe out BSE and lead to therapy for CJD
- Can the State Force Vaccinations on Your Child?
- Pneumonia Prevention - Immunization with Pneumonia Vaccine
- The Gardasil Vaccine: Bad Medicine?