FDA panel supports Sanofi vaccine |
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Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:28 |
BETHESDA, Md. (AFX) - Drug maker Sanofi-Aventis said Thursday government advisers recommended approval for its vaccine designed to protect children against five infectious diseases.Members of the Food and Drug Administration's vaccine panel said the company's Pentacel vaccine appears to be safe and effective for use in children. FDA is not required to follow the guidance of its panels, though it usually does.Already approved in nine countries, Pentacel is designed to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b. The vaccine has been used more than 12.5 million times in Canada, according to Sanofi-Pasteur, the vaccine division of Sanofi-Aventis.The company said use of the five-in-one vaccine could decrease the number of government-recommended injections children receive from as many as 23 to 16.Shares of Sanofi-Aventis fell 49 cents Thursday to $45.72 on the New York Stock Exchange.Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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