Low-dose Glaxo bird flu vaccine works in trial

LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) A bird flu vaccine for humans, which requires only a very low dose of active ingredient, has proved effective in clinical tests, its maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc said today.

The promising result means Europe's biggest pharmaceuticals group is on track to start making the vaccine in commercial quantities by the end of the year.

Glaxo believes its H5N1 vaccine will work more efficiently than rival ones in development because of the proprietary adjuvant used in its manufacture. Adjuvants are additives put into vaccines that boost the immune system and make it respond more efficiently.

A key challenge in the race to produce a vaccine for millions of people around the world is how to make the maximum number of shots from the minimum amount of antigen, or active ingredient.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has spread rapidly out of Asia and has killed more than 130 people who have come into close contact with infected birds.

Experts fear it could trigger a pandemic, a global epidemic of flu that could kill millions, if it acquires the ability to pass easily from human to human.

REUTERS DKB DS1230