Guillain

There are new flu vaccines on offer for 2024. Should I get one? What do I need to know?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
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Although most cases are relatively mild, flu can cause more severe illness in young children and older people.

Key Points: 
  • Although most cases are relatively mild, flu can cause more severe illness in young children and older people.
  • Influenza virtually disappeared from Australia during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic when public health restrictions reduced contact between people.
  • Since 2022, it has returned to a seasonal pattern, although the flu season has started and peaked a few months earlier than before 2020.

What goes into a flu vaccine?

  • Influenza strains are constantly changing due to genetic mutation, with the pace of genetic change much higher than for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID).
  • Read more:
    Flu vaccine won't definitely stop you from getting the flu, but it's more important than you think

    All current influenza vaccines in Australia contain four different strains (known as quadrivalent vaccines).

What’s different about new flu vaccines?

  • These include egg-based vaccines (Vaxigrip Tetra, Fluarix Tetra, Afluria Quad, FluQuadri and Influvac Tetra), cell-based vaccines (Flucelvax Quad), adjuvanted vaccines (Fluad Quad) and high-dose vaccines (Fluzone High-Dose Quad).
  • Until recently, the process of manufacturing flu vaccines has remained similar.
  • In some flu vaccines, adjuvants (components that stimulate the immune system) are included with the influenza antigens.
  • For example, an adjuvant is used in the Fluad Quad vaccine, recommended for over 65s.
  • Studies suggest adjuvanted influenza vaccines are slightly better than standard egg-based vaccines without adjuvant in older people.
  • Read more:
    Should I get the flu shot if I'm pregnant?

What should I do this year?

  • Influenza vaccines are also recommended in pregnancy to protect both the mother and the baby for the first months of life.
  • Influenza vaccines are widely available, including at GP clinics and pharmacies, while many workplaces have occupational programs.


In older people, a number of vaccines are now recommended: COVID and influenza, as well as one-off courses of pneumococcal and shingles vaccines. In general, most vaccines can be given in the same visit, but talk to your doctor about which ones you need.

Are there side effects?

  • These are expected and reflect the immune system reacting appropriately to the vaccine, and are mostly mild and short-term.
  • People with egg allergies should discuss this with their doctor, but in general, studies suggest they can safely receive any (including egg-based) influenza vaccines.
  • Serious side effects from the influenza vaccine, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological complication, are very rare (one case per million people vaccinated).


Allen Cheng receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. He is a member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

Annexon Outlines 2024 Priorities with Late-Stage Clinical Milestones Across Upstream Complement Portfolio for Autoimmune, Ophthalmic and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024
Patient, Geographic atrophy, Initiate, Conference, Outline, ARCHER, Immunoglobulin therapy, GBS, PRIME, EMA, Research, Paratriathlon, Cold agglutinin disease, AMD, CAD, Complement component 1s, Brain, Facial muscles, Eye, Clinical trial, Inflammation, Pharmacokinetics, Nerve, Death, Nervous system, Guillain, SAD, Complement component 1q, Webcast, Safety, Meta-analysis, Pharmaceutical industry

BRISBANE, Calif., Jan. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexon, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of complement-based medicines for people living with devastating inflammatory-related diseases, today outlined its strategic priorities for 2024 with late-stage clinical milestones, including ANX005 for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), ANX007 for geographic atrophy (GA) and its first-in-kind oral small molecule complement inhibitor, ANX1502, for a range of autoimmune indications.

Key Points: 
  • The study completed enrollment in 2023 and the company is on-track to report Phase 3 data in the first half of 2024.
  • Annexon also plans to initiate the ARROW clinical trial, an injection-controlled head-to-head study against SYFOVRE® (pegcetacoplan injection) in late 2024.
  • A live webcast of the event can be accessed under the ‘Events & Presentations’ section on the Investors page at www.annexonbio.com.
  • A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Annexon website for 30 days following the presentation.

Annexon Reports Significant Progress with its Priority Programs and Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 13, 2023
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EMA orphan drug designation requires that a novel rare disease therapeutic demonstrates the potential for significant benefit over available therapies.

Key Points: 
  • EMA orphan drug designation requires that a novel rare disease therapeutic demonstrates the potential for significant benefit over available therapies.
  • Importantly, Annexon also announced that it has achieved target enrollment of 225 patients in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of ANX005 in patients with GBS.
  • Research and development (R&D) expenses: R&D expenses were $27.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, reflecting the advancement of the company’s priority programs, including GBS, GA and ANX1502, compared to $27.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
  • General and administrative (G&A) expenses: G&A expenses were $6.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to $8.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Annexon Announces Clinical and Regulatory Progress for ANX005 Pivotal Program in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
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BRISBANE, Calif., Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexon, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANNX) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of complement-based medicines for patients with classical complement-mediated autoimmune, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic disorders, today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted orphan drug designation to ANX005 for the treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously granted orphan drug designation to ANX005 for the treatment of GBS.

Key Points: 
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously granted orphan drug designation to ANX005 for the treatment of GBS.
  • ANX005, a humanized monoclonal antibody, inhibits C1q, the initiator molecule of the classical complement pathway, and is designed to stop complement mediated inflammation and neuronal damage early in GBS.
  • In granting the designation, EMA stated that preliminary clinical data with ANX005 constitutes “a clinically relevant advantage” over IVIg for patients affected by GBS.
  • Importantly, Annexon has also achieved target enrollment of 225 patients in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of ANX005 in patients with GBS.

RSV: we finally have a vaccine for this deadly virus

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
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The first vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Key Points: 
  • The first vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
  • The European Medicines Agency is recommending the use of this vaccine, with a final decision likely to be made in July 2023.
  • Eventually, a key part of the virus, called F protein was identified as a likely vaccine target.
  • The Arexvy vaccine, developed by the UK-based pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, is known as a “protein subunit vaccine”.

EQS-News: Biotest AG: Biotest receives approval for new intravenous immunoglobulin Yimmugo® (IgG Next Generation)

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, November 27, 2022
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BiotestAG announced today that the German competent authority, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, has approved the new intravenous immunoglobulin Yimmugo (IgGNextGeneration) in Germany.

Key Points: 
  • BiotestAG announced today that the German competent authority, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, has approved the new intravenous immunoglobulin Yimmugo (IgGNextGeneration) in Germany.
  • "Biotest is expanding its immunoglobulin product portfolio with an innovative new product.
  • Yimmugo offers patients and physicians another important treatment option whose safety, efficacy and tolerability have been proven in the approval studies," emphasises Dr Jrg Schttrumpf, Chief Scientific Officer of Biotest AG.
  • Yimmugo is a newly developed polyvalent immunoglobulin G preparation from human blood plasma for intravenous administration (IVIG).

Annexon Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Plans to Provide Updates on Complement Therapeutic Portfolio in January 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 3, 2022
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BRISBANE, Calif., Nov. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexon, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of complement medicines for patients with classical complement-mediated autoimmune, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic disorders, today reported third quarter 2022 financial results. Additionally, Annexon announced plans to provide updates and outline anticipated milestones across its business and portfolio of complement-targeted therapies in January 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, Annexon announced plans to provide updates and outline anticipated milestones across its business and portfolio of complement-targeted therapies in January 2023.
  • We are also excited about ANX007, which has demonstrated target engagement and tissue penetration preclinically and in patients.
  • With the most comprehensive classical complement pipeline in development, were rigorously pursuing multiple paths to drive value across our portfolio for patients, employees and our supporters.
  • Research and development (R&D) expenses: R&D expenses were $27.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, compared to $27.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Annexon Biosciences Highlights Portfolio Progress and Key Anticipated Milestones, and Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 9, 2022
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BRISBANE, Calif., May 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexon, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of complement medicines for patients with classical complement-mediated autoimmune, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic disorders, today announced progress across its broad pipeline of product candidates and reported first quarter 2022 financial results.

Key Points: 
  • I am very proud of the strong execution by the Annexon team in advancing our classical complement platform across multiple indications driven by aberrant complement activity.
  • Research and development (R&D) expenses: R&D expenses were $27.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $20.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
  • General and administrative (G&A) expenses: G&A expenses were $8.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $5.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
  • Annexon is rigorously developing a pipeline of diversified product candidates across multiple mid- to late- stage clinical trials, with clinical data anticipated throughout 2022 and 2023.

Annexon Biosciences to Present Preclinical Data Supporting Complement Inhibitor Programs for the Treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Huntington’s Disease at AAN 2022

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 3, 2022
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The data are being presented in oral and poster sessions at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual meeting, being held in Seattle from April 2-7, 2022, and virtually from April 24-26, 2022.

Key Points: 
  • The data are being presented in oral and poster sessions at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual meeting, being held in Seattle from April 2-7, 2022, and virtually from April 24-26, 2022.
  • The data we are presenting at AAN support that hypothesis and the continued advancement of several of our clinical-stage programs, including those in Guillain-Barr Syndrome and Huntingtons disease.
  • We look forward to sharing these data at the meeting and continuing to explore the potential of our pioneering approach to addressing complement-mediated diseases.
  • Annexon is deploying a disciplined, biomarker-driven strategy designed to improve the probability of technical success of its portfolio.

Annexon Biosciences Announces Program Highlights and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
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BRISBANE, Calif., March 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexon, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of complement medicines for patients with classical complement-mediated autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and ophthalmic disorders, today announced recent highlights and reported fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results.

Key Points: 
  • This is an exciting time for Annexon, and I am confident in our potential to deliver game-changing medicines to patients in need.
  • Annexon anticipates reporting data from all patients treated, including data from the three-month follow-up period, in the second quarter of 2022.
  • In addition, Annexon reported preclinical data supporting the potential role of the complement pathway in warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA).
  • Annexon continues to expect that its current cash position is sufficient to fund its operating plans into the first quarter of 2024.