LONDON (AFX) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC has started human trials of two pandemic vaccines that Europe's biggest drugmaker hopes will protect people against the H5N1 avian flu virus.
The virus is not yet transmissable between people, but scientists fear if it mutates into a form that could pass between humans, it could trigger a pandemic.
Scientists do not know what strain the virus will take if it does mutate, but they hope to be able to create a vaccine similar enough to afford some protection.
GSK claims that by moving ahead now, it will allow them to register and produce a vaccine more quickly once the pandemic strain is identified.
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