Human Tests For Bird Flu Vaccine Begin

Government scientists say that an experimental vaccine technology could give them a jump on the constantly mutating bird flu virus.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers are in the opening stages of testing on humans a new vaccine against H5N1, the pathogen behind the bird flu outbreak that has sickened at least 261 people since 2003.

The vaccine will also offer a first pass at using experimental DNA technology to make vaccines against flu. Instead of using weakened or killed viruses to prompt immunity in patients, the new vaccine uses chunks of the genetic material of the flu virus to get the body to react and hopefully form a defense against infection. The vaccine does not contain any infectious material and cannot cause infection.

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NIH Utilizes Biojector(R) 2000 in Avian Influenza Study

Bioject Medical Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: BJCT) , a leading developer of needle-free drug delivery systems, today announced that the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") is utilizing the Biojector(R) 2000 ("B2000") in its first human trial of a DNA vaccine designed to prevent H5N1 avian influenza infection. The vaccine was administered to the first volunteer a few weeks ago at the NIH clinical center in Bethesda, MD.

The study will enroll 45 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 60. Fifteen will receive placebo injections and 30 will receive three injections of the investigational vaccine over two months and will be followed for one year. Volunteers will not be exposed to influenza virus.