Influenza A virus

Human medicines European public assessment report (EPAR): Fluad Tetra, influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated, adjuvanted), Date of authorisation: 20/05/2020, Revision: 8, Status: Authorised

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Human medicines European public assessment report (EPAR): Fluad Tetra, influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated, adjuvanted), Date of authorisation: 20/05/2020, Revision: 8, Status: Authorised

Key Points: 


Human medicines European public assessment report (EPAR): Fluad Tetra, influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated, adjuvanted), Date of authorisation: 20/05/2020, Revision: 8, Status: Authorised

Human medicines European public assessment report (EPAR): Supemtek, Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (recombinant, prepared in cell culture), Date of authorisation: 16/11/2020, Revision: 4, Status: Authorised

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Human medicines European public assessment report (EPAR): Supemtek, Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (recombinant, prepared in cell culture), Date of authorisation: 16/11/2020, Revision: 4, Status: Authorised

Key Points: 


Human medicines European public assessment report (EPAR): Supemtek, Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (recombinant, prepared in cell culture), Date of authorisation: 16/11/2020, Revision: 4, Status: Authorised

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Researchers Develop Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence Probes for Influenza A Virus Detection

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

In recent years, fluorescence-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) has gained popularity as a diagnostic tool for viral detection.

Key Points: 
  • In recent years, fluorescence-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) has gained popularity as a diagnostic tool for viral detection.
  • It is a rapid virus detection platform which uses molecules that glow under special lighting conditions in the presence of a viral load.
  • However, the performance of this detection platform is limited due to several issues related to detection sensitivity.
  • Furthermore, they demonstrated the applicability of optimized MEF probes by incorporating it onto a LFI platform for the detection of influenza A virus (IAV).

New Data From an Influenza Challenge Study Further Support the Prophylactic Potential of INNA-051 to Accelerate Viral Clearance

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Monday, September 11, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia and MILAN, Italy, Sept. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ENA Respiratory, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, announced positive data from the Phase 2a flu challenge study of INNA-051, a first-in-class, broad-spectrum, innate immunomodulator in development for the prophylaxis of complications associated with respiratory viral infections. As previously reported, data from post-hoc analyses excluding those with pre-existing immunity against the challenge virus strain showed that INNA-051-treated participants with laboratory-confirmed infection had a statistically significant shorter duration of infection. New data reported today show that in this population, INNA-051 resulted in early stimulation of multiple genes that play important roles in the response to viral infections, including type I and III interferons. These results support the observed accelerated viral clearance. The biomarker data were presented in a late-breaking abstract oral session and the clinical data were discussed at a poster session at the European Respiratory Society meeting, which is taking place in Milan, Italy, September 9-13.

Key Points: 
  • These results support the observed accelerated viral clearance.
  • “These data provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the observed decrease in duration of infection in this flu challenge study.
  • Additional data from the study were presented in a late-breaking oral presentation titled “INNA-051 prophylaxis enhances innate immune responses confirming accelerated viral clearance in a human influenza challenge model” ( Abstract #42457 ).
  • Expression of 730 immune genes was assessed in nasal swabs obtained following influenza challenge from participants included in the post-hoc analysis.

EQS-News: Peer-reviewed publication by Marinomed Biotech AG and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg reconfirms broad virus-blocking effectiveness of iota-carrageenan

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Joint publication of virologists in the peer-reviewed journal Nutraceuticals demonstrates effectiveness of iota-carrageenan (Carragelose) against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5

Key Points: 
  • Joint publication of virologists in the peer-reviewed journal Nutraceuticals demonstrates effectiveness of iota-carrageenan (Carragelose) against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5
    Korneuburg, Austria, 13 July 2023 – Marinomed Biotech AG (VSE:MARI) and scientists from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Tuebingen published new data on the virus-blocking effectiveness of iota-carrageenan.
  • The authors investigated the virus-blocking properties of three different types of carrageenan (iota, kappa and lambda).
  • While all carrageenan types had a virus-blocking effect, iota-carrageenan showed superior inhibition of all tested viral subtypes.
  • This is confirmed by our newly published data that join a growing number of publications proving the virus-blocking effects of iota-carrageenan.

Virax Biolabs' CEO James Foster Issues Letter to Shareholders

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 14, 2023

LONDON and DUBAI, UAE , June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Virax Biolabs Group Limited ("Virax" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: VRAX), an innovative diagnostics company focused on the detection of immune responses and diagnosis of viral diseases, announced that Mr. James Foster, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Virax, has issued a letter to shareholders.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON and DUBAI, UAE , June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Virax Biolabs Group Limited ("Virax" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: VRAX), an innovative diagnostics company focused on the detection of immune responses and diagnosis of viral diseases, announced that Mr. James Foster, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of Virax, has issued a letter to shareholders.
  • Results will then be delivered directly to an individual through our ViraxImmune™ Mobile Application, providing them an immune profile for a number of viruses.
  • We are using COVID-19 as our first target for the in vitro diagnostic T-Cell tests to prove the effectiveness of our technology.
  • This will then allow us to adapt to additional pathogens, whether variants of existing pathogens or new ones, as they emerge.

I need a flu shot and a COVID booster. Can I get them at the same time?

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023

Yes, you can get your flu vaccine and COVID booster safely at the same time, saving you a trip to the GP, nurse or pharmacy.

Key Points: 
  • Yes, you can get your flu vaccine and COVID booster safely at the same time, saving you a trip to the GP, nurse or pharmacy.
  • When COVID vaccines were first rolled out, a gap was recommended between COVID and flu vaccines.
  • This is because we didn’t have adequate data of the individual and long-term effects of the new COVID vaccines.
  • It suggests getting an influenza vaccine and any dose of any approved COVID vaccine at the same time is a practical option.

Revolo Biotherapeutics Presents New Preclinical Data for ‘1104 in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated With Influenza Infection at the ATS 2023 International Conference

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Monday, May 22, 2023

NEW ORLEANS and CAMBRIDGE, UK,, May 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revolo Biotherapeutics (“Revolo” or the “Company”), a company developing therapies that reset the immune system to achieve superior long-term remission for patients with autoimmune and allergic diseases, today announced new preclinical data discussed in a poster presentation at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2023 International Conference. The poster showcases the ability of its immune-resetting drug candidate ‘1104 to inhibit and reduce lung inflammation without immunosuppression in a new model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with influenza infection.

Key Points: 
  • The poster showcases the ability of its immune-resetting drug candidate ‘1104 to inhibit and reduce lung inflammation without immunosuppression in a new model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with influenza infection.
  • “The data continues to highlight the unique mechanism of action (MOA) of ‘1104, acting ahead of the inflammatory cascade to reset the immune system.
  • Three days after infection, animals received either PBS (negative control) or 30µg of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) to exacerbate influenza-induced lung inflammation.
  • At 48 hours after the poly I:C challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected to conduct differential cell counts and to measure cytokines.

Should I get a flu vaccine this year? Here's what you need to know

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

So far this year, Australia has had more than 32,000 lab-confirmed cases of the flu and 32 deaths.

Key Points: 
  • So far this year, Australia has had more than 32,000 lab-confirmed cases of the flu and 32 deaths.
  • Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect against getting the flu.
  • Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the 2023 flu vaccine.

What are the different types of flu?

    • There are two main types of influenza: influenza A and influenza B.
    • On the surface of the influenza virus there are two main proteins, the hemagglutinin (HA or H) and neuraminidase (NA or N).
    • Different strains are named after their versions of the H and N proteins, as in H1N1 or “swine flu”.

What strains does this year’s flu shot protect against?


    Modern flu vaccines typically protect against four strains. For this year’s vaccine, the committee has recommended it includes:
    • The name is derived from the virus type (A or B)/the place it was first isolated/strain number/year isolated (virus subtype).
    • This year’s vaccine includes an influenza B isolated from Austria in 2021 (Victoria lineage) and an influenza B isolated in Phuket in 2013 (Yamagata lineage).

Who should get a flu shot?


    Health authorities recommend everyone aged six months of age or over should get the flu vaccine every year. Some groups are at greater risk of significant disease from the flu and can access the flu vaccine for free. This includes:

    Read more:
    Should I get the flu shot if I'm pregnant?

How can I get it?


    You can get a flu shot from your local general practice or pharmacy. Or you may have an opportunity to get vaccinated at your workplace if your employer supplies it. While the vaccine is free for those in the above groups, there can be a consultation or administration fee, depending on where you get your vaccine. If you aren’t eligible for a free vaccine, it usually costs around A$20-$30.

Are there different options?

    • However there is also a cell-based immunisation for people who don’t want a vaccine made in eggs.
    • When vaccines are grown in eggs, sometimes the virus can change and this might affect the level of protection.
    • The cell-based vaccine isn’t funded so patients will pay around $40 for a private prescription.

How well do they work?


    The vaccine’s effectiveness depends on how well the strains in the vaccine match those circulating. It generally reduces the chance of being admitted to hospital with influenza by 30-60%.

    Read more:
    Why can you still get influenza if you've had a flu shot?

What are the side effects?

    • When people get a flu-like illness after the vaccine, it can be due to mild effects we sometimes see after vaccination, such as headaches, tiredness or some aches and pains.
    • Alternatively, symptoms after getting a flu shot may be due to another respiratory virus such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that circulates in winter.

When’s the best time to get your flu shot?


    The vaccine provides peak protection around three to four months after you get it. The peak of the flu season is usually between June and September, however this changes every year and can vary in different parts of the country. Given this, the best time to get the vaccine is usually around late April or early May. So if you haven’t already, now would be a good time to get it.

Cocrystal Pharma Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Provides Updates on its Antiviral Drug Development Programs

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 15, 2023

BOTHELL, Wash., May 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) (Cocrystal or the Company) reports financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and provides updates on its antiviral pipeline, upcoming milestones and business activities.

Key Points: 
  • BOTHELL, Wash., May 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) (Cocrystal or the Company) reports financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and provides updates on its antiviral pipeline, upcoming milestones and business activities.
  • “Recent progress in advancing our pipeline of antiviral drug candidates keeps us on pace to meet our 2023 milestones,” said Sam Lee, Ph.D., President and co-CEO of Cocrystal.
  • Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2023 were $3.9 million, compared with $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2022.
  • General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2023 were $1.2 million, compared with $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2022.