Flu
The new flu vaccine is a recombinant MVA encoding the internal nucleoprotein and matrix (M1) antigens of influenza A (MVA-flu). The vaccine is designed to boost T cell responses to high levels to provide cellular immunity to influenza. Because internal flu antigens are highly conserved between strains of seasonal flu and very similar to H5 and H1 strains of avian and swine flu respectively, this approach could provide novel strain-transcending immunity to influenza A. The first clinical trial has been completed; safety data has been excellent and ielicited mmune responses have been very strong. A phase IIa challenge study commenced in September 2009.
