Berna Biotech holds back Nasalflu sales

The Swiss flu vaccines market leader, Berna Biotech AG, has decided notto sell its nasal flu vaccine Nasalflu until the situation has been clarified regarding a possible link between the product and temporary facial paralysis. A case-control study of the Swiss market last winter is to be carried out and a large-scale clinical study of the tolerability of Nasalflu undertaken in several European countries.

The vaccine will not be marketed in the coming flu season, although the company has emphasized that the licensing of the flu vaccine was based on extensive clinical studies during which no cases of facial paralysis were reported. In the meantime, the Swiss producer has increased production of its parenteral flu vaccine, Inflexal V, by 20% for the coming season to ensure adequate supplies. Sales of Nasalflu accounted for 2% of the company's 200 million Swiss francs ($120 million) in revenues in 2000.