Swine flu fears help Glaxo to sign up US$3.5b vaccine orders
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
GlaxoSmithKline won a further 22 government orders for its human swine flu (H1N1) vaccine in the past two months, taking the total number of doses ordered to 440 million, worth US$3.5 billion (HK$27.3 billion).
The Britain-based drugmaker said yesterday first supplies were being shipped to governments this week and deliveries would continue through both the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first half of 2010. The orders point to a substantial sales and profit windfall as a result of the swine flu pandemic.
Governments around the world are preparing to start mass immunization programs ahead of a feared second wave of infection as the northern hemisphere heads into winter.
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Shipments of H1N1 vaccine will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first half of 2010, Glaxo said. The company believes it has an edge over rival makers because its vaccine uses a special adjuvant, a substance designed to boost the immune response.
This means only a fraction of the normal amount of antigen, or active ingredient, is needed in each shot.
Glaxo also stands to book extra sales of flu drug Relenza, a rival to Roche's Tamiflu. REUTERS
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