GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

[RNsidersbuying]

Drugmakers to join forces to make millions of Ebola vaccine doses
BY BEN HIRSCHLER
LONDON Wed Oct 22, 2014 2:18pm EDT

(Reuters) - Leading drugmakers plan to work together to speed up the development of an Ebola vaccine and hope to produce millions of doses for use next year.

U.S. firm Johnson & Johnson said on Wednesday that it aims to produce at least 1 million doses of its two-step vaccine next year and has already discussed collaboration with Britain's GlaxoSmithKline, which is working on a rival vaccine.

The economics of an Ebola vaccine are still unclear but drug companies with an eye on their reputations are under pressure to respond to the major international health crisis now ravaging one of the poorest corners of Africa.

J&J's head of research Paul Stoffels said it was important to have several experimental vaccine candidates in development, since it is not clear which ones will work, but resources could in future be focused on one clear winner.

GSK's chief executive Andrew Witty told reporters on Wednesday that a meeting of experts in Geneva this week would discuss ways to ensure that all companies, including those with no direct involvement in the Ebola work, pulled together to help remove supply bottlenecks.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/22/us-health-ebola-johnson-johnson-idUSKCN0IB0N420141022