Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) today announced it had received a European Commission-funded grant toward the development of a pandemic influenza vaccine. The €1.7 million grant, which was awarded to a consortium of nine leading universities and companies working in the field of influenza research, will finance pre-clinical and clinical testing of H5N1 vaccines.

"Crucell has long been involved in the development of a pandemic influenza vaccine and this grant is another important step toward Crucell's goal of meeting critical global needs for a pandemic influenza vaccine," said Dr. Jaap Goudsmit, Crucell's Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Goudsmit added: "With a vaccine already in clinical trial based on H9N2, Crucell broadens its pandemic influenza vaccine portfolio adding another potential pandemic strain. We are thankful to the European Commission for its decision to give us such an important grant."

Three Influenza subtypes, H5, H7 and H9 have caused highly pathogenic avian influenza. Although presently most vaccine development has focused on H5N1 strains, avian H7 and H9 influenza subtypes remain a pandemic threat and have caused infection in humans in Asia and Europe since 1996.