GlaxoSmithKline starts testing swine flu vaccine

Associated Press

LONDON — Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline says it has started testing its swine flu vaccine in humans.

Glaxo says it plans to conduct 16 clinical trials of its swine flu vaccine in more than 9,000 people in Europe, Canada and the United States. It expects to have early results in September from its first trial in Germany. Those data will be shared with drug regulatory authorities so they can make an early decision whether to license the vaccine.

Both Europe and the U.S. have fast-track approval systems for the swine flu vaccine, to ensure the vaccine is available as soon as possible — and before complete safety tests are finished.

Two other major drugmakers, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis, began testing their swine flu vaccines earlier this month.