Associated Press | Baxter International Inc. reported late-stage
clinical trial data for its flu vaccine candidate Preflucel, saying the
drug provided a 71 percent protection rate against all strains of the
flu.

Preflucel is designed to protect against swine flu, influenza B, and
Hong Kong flu. Baxter and its partner DynPort Vaccine Co. said the shot
gave a 78 percent protection rate against flu strains that matched the
ones in the vaccine, and 71 percent from all strains.

The vaccine was tested on more than 7,200 people, and results were
taken 21 days after inoculation. Baxter and DynPort said the most
common side effects of Preflucel were reactions at the site of
injection, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and malaise.

Most flu vaccines are cultivated in chicken eggs, but Preflucel is not.
Baxter said Preflucel is made with a technology called Vero cell, and
made from a mammalian cell line. The company said its manufacturing
process prevents interaction between the vaccine and the egg
environment, and keeps it pure because it does not interact with
antibiotics. It says it uses no preservatives or adjuvants, which are
drugs intended to strengthen the vaccine’s effects.

Baxter and DynPort plan to complete testing of Preflucel in the next
few months. In afternoon trading, Baxter shares fell 38 cents to $57.78.