Swiss Firm Novartis Produces First Swine Flu Vaccine

A new vaccine for Swine Flu disease has been successfully produced by a Swiss firm Novartis in its plant in Germany. The announcement came a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the swine flu pandemic.

The first batch of a new vaccine for the H1N1 disease (also known as Swine Flu) has been successfully produced by Novartis at its plant in Mamburg, Germany. The vaccine was made in cells, rather than grown in eggs as is usually the case with vaccines, the company said. The announcement came a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Swine Flu a pandemic. The swine flu, presumed to have originated in Mexico, has spread throughout the world prompting the WHO to declare the pandemic warning. Yahoo news reports:

Novartis said it would use the first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical evaluation and testing. It is also being considered for clinical trials, the company said.

According to WHO, drug makers will likely have the vaccines approved and ready for sale by September.