Initial U.S. order for bulk vaccine valued at $190 million -

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of France's Sanofi-Aventis Group, announced May 25 that it has received the first of
what is expected to be a series of orders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
to start production of a vaccine to help protect against the new influenza A(H1N1) virus.  
 
The $190 million U.S. government order covers the production of the bulk vaccine.  The dosage
requirements for the new vaccine are yet to be determined and will be based on clinical trials, which
could begin as early as August.  Final formulation, filling and distribution of the vaccine also have not
yet been established.

Sanofi Pasteur said it is in talks with other governments to address their needs for A(H1N1) vaccine.