Intercell gets $12.5M HHS funding for flu vacc patch system

Vienna, Austria-based Intercell has announced the execution of a contract modification with the US Department of Health and Human Services, which commits additional funding of $12.5 million for the company's pandemic influenza program.

Intercell is developing a pandemic influenza vaccine patch system that includes an immunostimulant patch administered in conjunction with an injected vaccine (manufactured by Solvay Biologicals, the Netherlands, part of the like-name Belgian group). The system is designed to enhance the immune response and enable dose sparing of the pandemic flu vaccine.

The actual funding forms part of an HHS contract with potential of up to $128.0 million over five years. If successful, Intercell's system would have the effect of expanding limited vaccine supplies by allowing fewer or lower doses of the vaccine.