Pandemic Flu Syndrome and Biotechnology's Role in Preparedness

The Monday Super Session profiling the possibilities and consequences of a pandemic flu outbreak was sponsored by MedImmune and featured a panel of four speakers who recommended steps to take in addressing the massive problems incurred by an outbreak. The topic was a difficult one: no one, they agreed, can predict when, or if, a pandemic flu outbreak will occur. The primary collective goal would be to manage the situation as effectively as possible.

Bruce Gellin, Director of the National Vaccine Program office, stressed the need for preparedness on a state, county, and municipal level. The national strategy involves preparedness, surveillance and detection, and response and containment, and would work as a support system to local communities. Gellin also stressed the importance of reliable information for the public to counter the rumors and inaccuracies that may occur in a time of crisis. The need for a flu vaccine will be vital, and biotechnology companies will play an important role in answering that need. Pre-pandemic stockpiles and vaccine portfolios must be developed. The Web site www.PandemicFlu.gov has valuable, timely information about government preparedness.

According to David Ozonoff from Boston University School of Public Health, in the event that a pandemic flu did occur, dealing with its consequences would become equally important as dealing with the actual flu. The consequences would go far beyond the medical or public health issues. Coping with flu management would rest primarily with local resources using whatever tools they have in place. Ozonoff outlined the direct and indirect consequences, which would include morbidity, mortality, a disruption in commerce and transportation, hospital overloads and shortage of medical staff and supplies, food shortages, public safety issues, political unrest, and a disruption in the social fabric of communities and the world at large. To counter these dire conditions, Ozonoff stressed the need for resilience and communication, especially through the resources of the Internet. His call to action is to be prepared so their company and resources will be able to exist past the outbreak and offer biotechnological advances essential to treatment and recovery.

James Young of MedImmune spoke to the role innovative vaccine technologies play in pandemic preparedness. The challenges of developing an effective vaccine include the feasibility of the scientific/medical research, the successful manufacturing of the vaccine, the logistical issues of delivery of the vaccine, and the political implications of who will receive the vaccine in what order. Young stressed the importance of working hard now through industry/government collaboration, industry partnerships, and government-to-government cooperation.

Gary Zieziula of Roche elaborated on the responsibility of biotechnology companies to have plans in place for an outbreak. Zieziula's message: "If your company has not started to plan for a pandemic outbreak, do so today". Roche began its plan in 2004 with a strong organizational commitment to pandemic planning. An intensive two-year effort resulted in a plan with two objectives; employee protection and a plan for business continuity. Zieziula also stressed the importance of building antiviral stockpiles to meet the needs in an outbreak. Roche offers an excellent resource about company plans at www.pandemictoolkit.com.