 | |
| Formerly | Molecular Vaccines, Inc. (1988 - 1989) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Founded | 1988; 38 years ago (1988) (as Molecular Vaccines, Inc.) |
| Defunct | 2019; 7 years ago (2019) |
| Fate | Dissolved by AstraZeneca |
| Headquarters | Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S. |
| Products | |
| Parent | AstraZeneca |
| Website | www.medimmune.com |
MedImmune, LLC was a wholly owned subsidiary ofAstraZeneca before February 14, 2019, when it was announced that the MedImmune name and branding would be discontinued in favor of AstraZeneca.[1][2]
MedImmune was founded in 1988 as Molecular Vaccines, Inc, and was purchased in 2007 for $15.6 billion.[3] Its main offices were located inGaithersburg, MD,Cambridge, UK, andMountain View, CA.[4]
It producedSynagis, a drug for the prevention of respiratory infections in infants, which accounted forUS$ 1.06 billion of itsUS$ 1.2 billion in revenue for 2005, andFluMist, anasal sprayinfluenza vaccine introduced in 2004. MedImmune acquiredFluMist when it purchased Aviron in 2002 forUS$ 1.5 billion.FluMist sales totaledUS$ 104 million in 2008,US$ 54.8 million in 2007, andUS$ 36.4 million in 2006.[5]
FluMist was approved for children two years of age and older in 2007, but initially was approved only for healthy people ages 5 to 49, a significant limitation because it eliminated a significant market—young children who find injections objectionable. Sales ofFluMist fell short of analysts' expectations for the first two years the drug was sold.FluMist was initially sold in a frozen form, which was difficult for doctors to store.[6]
MedImmune conducted successfulclinical trials for a new generation ofFluMist needle-free vaccine, called CAIV-T, which was approved by theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007, and is now the form offered on the market.
Molecular Vaccines, Inc. was founded by Wayne T. Hockmeyer, David Mott, and Dr. James Young in 1988.[6] In 1989, Molecular Vaccines, Inc changed its name to MedImmune, Inc.
On April 23, 2007, it was announced MedImmune andAstraZeneca entered into a definitive agreement under which AstraZeneca intended to acquire MedImmune in an all-cash transaction atUS$ 58 per share, or aboutUS$ 15.2 billion.[6] On 19 June 2007 AstraZeneca completed the acquisition payingUS$ 15.2 billion primarily for its drug development pipeline. Analysts have criticised the take-over, claiming that AstraZeneca paid too much.[7] AstraZeneca chose to merge MedImmune withCambridge Antibody Technology, which it had acquired in 2006, creating a new biologics division under the MedImmune name. AstraZeneca presented the new MedImmune to investors on 7 December 2007.[8]
In June 2007, theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) began enrolling participants in aPhase 1 H5N1 study of an intranasalinfluenza vaccine candidate based on MedImmune's live, attenuated vaccine technology.[9]
MedImmune said it was making a significant, rapid response with a vaccine to thenovel H1N1 variant of influenza, known asswine flu.[10] In June 2009 it won aDepartment of Health and Human Services (HHS) contract, worth $90m. Under the contract with HHS, MedImmune will continue to make its seasonal FluMist vaccine and also develop a vaccine targeted specifically at the novel H1N1 virus.[5] MedImmune then won a second contract to test its nasal spray flu technology as a viable treatment for the H1N1.[11]
MedImmune received approval from the U.S. FDA for its intranasal novel H1N1 influenza vaccine in September 2009.[10]
MedImmune had over 120 drugs in development for conditions including lupus, COPD, asthma, and many types of cancer. Major phase III trials included:[12]
