Novavax Inc. announced on Tuesday that their new bird flu vaccine that uses a mock version of the virus is actually safe for further use. Novavax's VLP candidate is directed against the H5N1 A/Indonesia/05/2005 avian influenza strain that emerged in humans in Indonesia in 2005 and has caused 135 human cases, 81% of which were fatal.

The vaccine was said not to contain an adjuvant however it induced hefty neutralizing antibody responses.

The study evaluated individuals who received two injections of 15 micrograms (mcg), 45 mcg, 90 mcg or placebo. All subjects tested negative for neutralizing antibodies to the H5N1 A/Indonesia strain before vaccination and no responses were observed among individuals who received a placebo. The best response was received on behalf of patients getting the highest dose.

Novavax is developing avian flu vaccines using its technology with GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric.

They are also working on a project that will eventually lead to a rapid and cheap deployment in outbreak areas where a vaccine could be developed in about three months’ time especially for a certain local outbreak. Thus potentially human disasters will be avoided.

Novavax President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rahul Singhvi explained: "These results are strong and very competitive and they compare well with any vaccine against pandemic flu, whether licensed or in development."

The Novavax vaccine is concentrated around hree proteins found in flu viruses: the neuraminidase (N), the M1 protein, and hemagglutinin, the one common vaccines battle against most of the time.