MedImmune,Hopkins Sign Research Pact

An R&D company and a research university have joined forces in the quest for new treatments for a number of serious illnesses,such as cancer,rheumatoid arthritis and infectious diseases.MedImmune,the Gaithersburg,Maryland biotech firm that is a subsidiary of pharma titan AstraZeneca,and Baltimore's The Johns Hopkins University signed the five year,6.5 million dollar research agreement on 11 December.*
The broad-scale,long-term partnership calls for both institutions to contribute funding,personnel and materials to the joint efforts and training programs.We believe this significant collaboration with JHU will create a new standard in how academia and inustry can work together,said Dr.Bahija Jallal,executive vice president at MedImmune.Our partnership with this prestigious research university will leverage each organisation's strength;advance research in critical therapeutic areas;and strengthen Maryland's presence as a growing hub in the bioscience industry.*
We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with MedImmune researchers to accelerate the development of new therapies to treat a variety of serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis;rheumatoid arthritis;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;and certain types of cancer,said Landon King,executive vice dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.We believe that by working together to leverage the strength of each organisation,we can make significant advances.*
MedImmune focuses on the discovery,development and commercialisation of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines,pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across its key therapeutic areas.It is best known for its vaccines FluMist and Synagis(R),which helps prevent respiratory syncytial virus infections in infants.*
AstraZeneca(AZN)

Health Uncle:MedImmune's Building Binge

MedImmune,a subsidiary of British Pharmaceutical holding company Astra Zeneca,is embarked on a substantial building program.Best known for its nasal vaccine FluMist,the firm,which employs 3100 people,has broken ground for a 300,000 square foot research facility at its Gaithersburg,Maryland headquarters.At the same time,it bought a second building with 56,000 square feet nearby,and is erecting a 355,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Frederick,Maryland,where it plans to make its pediatric respiratory drug,Synagis.MedImmune comprises 25% of Astra Zeneca's biotech business.
MedImmune is developing a nasal vaccine for the H1N1 virus,or swine flu.The contractor that makes its nasal delivery systems,however,was caught off guard by the new program,and is having trouble meeting the demand for H1N1 devices.The U.S. government has ordered at least 90 miilion dollars' worth of the H1N1 mist,in addition to normal FluMist,which MedImmune has already begun shipping.This year,regular FluMist will be administered as early as August,when many school check-ups are given.