Baxter Puts Flu Vaccine Tests on Hold

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Medical products maker Baxter International Inc. said Thursday it suspended flu vaccine testing being conducted in Europe after more participants than expected came down with mild fevers.

The company said it is no longer recruiting participants for its current tests involving its PreFluCel vaccine and is putting on hold the additional clinical studies that were scheduled for 2005.

“In developing a vaccine, we aim to achieve a high level of efficacy while minimizing potential side effects,” said Norbert Riedel, Baxter’s chief scientific officer. “Based on the preliminary data we’ve seen, the rate of fever and associated symptoms observed with the current formulation of PreFluCel is higher compared to other vaccines available on the market.”

With demand for vaccine currently high amid a flu-shot shortage, Baxter had been hoping to sell PreFluCel in Europe in 2006 and in the United States in 2008 following initial U.S. testing that had been expected to start in late 2005. The company did not announce a timetable Thursday, saying it will continue to analyze data from the ongoing clinical trial.

Shares in the company fell 8 cents to close at $32.04 on the New York Stock Exchange, near the middle of its 52-week trading range.