Market Analysis

The influenza market consists of products to prevent, treat, and diagnose influenza viruses during both seasonal and pandemic episodes. Also included in the market is the stockpiling efforts and spending on new vaccine/therapeutic contracts. The global influenza market will grow from nearly $3.8 billion in 2012 to $4 billion in 2013. Global influenza market to be worth $6.3 billion in 2014 for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7%.This year, the global market for products used in the fight against influenza will be worth an estimated $5.5 billion, according to a new technical market research report, the Global Influenza Market, from BCC Research. Market revenue is forecast to increase at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2013 to 2018, totaling nearly $6 billion in 2018.

The market is broken down into vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic products. The vaccines segment has the largest share of the market, worth an estimated $3.2 billion in 2009. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% to reach nearly $4.2 billion in 2014. The therapeutics segment has the second-largest share of the market with $2.1 billion in 2009. But that segment is expected to decrease at a CAGR of -2.4%, falling to $1.9 billion in 2014. As many as 500,000 people die of influenza annually and with the threat of a pandemic, government agencies and disease-prevention organizations are devoted to gaining control of the situation. Many companies have been asked to assist with the problem and others are furthering their position with backing from government agencies. The next five years will continue to display support and funding for many research and development programs, product development and pandemic prevention and/or control by worldwide governments, organizations, and health care professionals.

Welcome Message from the President 　  Influenza-2015 Welcome Letter

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the International Conference on Influenza-2015, I am pleased and honored to invite you to the Conference. This event will be held in West Drayton, London, UK from 24-26 August, 2015.

This conference brings together experts, researchers, clinicians, industry representatives, postdoctoral fellows and students from around the world, providing them with the opportunity to report, share, and discuss scientific questions, achievements and challenges in the field. Central theme of the conference is to “Explore the Research Challenges on Influenza”.

In addition, international symposium entitled, “Control of Avian Influenza and Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza” is organized, where we will learn current status of avian and human influenza and discuss the hot topics on how to control avian influenza and how to prepare for the next pandemic influenza. I believe that these discussions will bring to light new strategies which will prepare us for the next influenza pandemic.

We look forward to seeing you, sharing scientific results and information,  discussing and exchanging ideas on how to control avian influenza and prepare the world for future influenza pandemics. The International Conference on Influenza-2015 in West Drayton, London will be an unforgettable experience to be remembered for years to come.

See you there!

Hiroshi Kida DVM, PhD, MJA
President, Influenza-2015
Member of the Japan Academy
Professor Emeritus, Hokkaido University
Head, Research Center for Zoonosis Control
Specially Appointed Professor,
Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education
Head, OIE Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza
Head, WHO Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses Control

Influenza 2015

Influenza-2015 could be an exceptional event that brings along a novel and International mixture of Virology, Microbiology, Public health, Immunologists, Physicians, NHS and healthcare, leading universities and Companies establishments creating the conference an ideal platform to share expertise, foster collaborations across trade and world, and assess rising technologies across the world. World-renowned speakers, the most recent techniques, tactics, and the newest updates in the field of Influenza are hallmarks of this conference.

Influenza Virus

Influenza is a highly contagious airborne disease that occurs in seasonal epidemics and manifests as an acute febrile illness with variable degrees of systemic symptoms, ranging from mild fatigue to respiratory failure and death. Influenza virus A: Infects wild aquatic birds and most humans. Influenza virus B:  almost infects humans. Influenzavirus C:  infects humans, dogs and pigs, sometimes causing both severe illness and local epidemics. “Avian influenza” (bird flu) is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. “Variant viruses” Influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs. “Swine influenza” (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. “Pandemic influenza” is related to influenza A viruses that have the potential to cause a pandemic. The antiviral drugs that have been approved for treatment are Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection.

Molecular Virology of influenza

Influenza viruses are encapsulated, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae with a pleomorphic appearance, and an average diameter of 120 nm. Projections of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase cover the surface of the particle. The core nucleoproteins are used to distinguish the 3 types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. The RNA core consists of 8 gene segments surrounded by a coat of 10 (influenza A) or 11 (influenza B) proteins. Together these build the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and each segment codes for a functionally important protein. Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase are critical for virulence and they are major targets for the neutralizing antibodies of acquired immunity to influenza. Hemagglutinin binds to respiratory epithelial cells, allowing cellular infection. Neuraminidase cleaves the bond that holds newly replicated virions to the cell surface, permitting the infection to spread.

Pandemic Diseases

An influenza pandemic can occur when a non-human (novel) influenza virus gains the ability for efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission and then spreads globally. Pandemics are related to influenza A includes avian influenza A (H5N1) and avian influenza H7N9, which are two different “bird flu” viruses. These Influenza viruses constantly change and it’s possible that this virus could become able to easily and sustainably spread between people, triggering a pandemic. The H1N1 swine flu virus caused a world-wide pandemic in 2009. It is now a human seasonal flu virus that also circulates in pigs. Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to seasonal flu symptoms. Getting the flu vaccine is the best protection against H1N1.

Flu

Flu, is a respiratory infection caused by several flu viruses.  Type A flu or influenza A viruses are capable of infecting animals and humans. They are constantly changing and is generally responsible for the large flu epidemics. Type B flu is found only in humans. Type C viruses are also found in people, however, milder than either type A or B. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a yearly vaccine.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory tract diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria and (less often) fungi. Common Respiratory Disorders Include: Parainfluenza Virus: Parainfluenza refers to a group of viruses that lead to upper and lower respiratory infections, Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract, Adeno Virus: Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can infect the membranes (tissue linings) of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, and urinary tract, Corona Virus: Coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses, in animals the viruses infect the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems as well as occasionally affecting the liver and the neurological systems. The human coronaviruses mainly infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, Pneumonia: is a common lung infection caused by bacteria, a virus or fungi.

 Epidemiology of influenza

A majority of human infections are caused by either type A or B influenza viruses.  Mostly aerosolized particles are responsible for transmission of the infection. Influenza illness is characterized by the abrupt onset of constitutional and respiratory signs and symptoms. Rapid diagnostic tests for influenza can help in the diagnosis. As influenza viruses constantly change, referred to as an antigenic drift, scientists and health professionals both rely on the influenza classification process to name and diagnose new strains of the flu. The two main classes of antiviral drugs used against influenza are neuraminidase inhibitors, such as zanamivir and oseltamivir, or inhibitors of the viral M2 protein, such as amantadine and rimantadine. The effective measurement to prevent the influenza virus is a yearly vaccination.

Influenza Vaccines

There are several options. Trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and an influenza B virus: Standard-dose trivalent shots (IIV3) that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. An intradermal trivalent shot, which is injected into the skin instead of the muscle approved for people 18 through 64 years of age. A high-dose trivalent shot, approved for people 65 and older. A trivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture and a recombinant trivalent shot that is egg-free, approved for people 18 years and older. The quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses: A quadrivalent flu shot. A quadrivalent nasal spray vaccine, approved for healthy people 2 through 49 years of age.

Influenza Vaccination

Seasonal flu vaccines have a very good safety track record. Although there are possible side-effects to vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration closely monitor the safety of seasonal flu vaccines. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. It's suggestable to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.

Animal Flu Ecology

Emerging infectious diseases have been increasing in incidence and are a key threat to wildlife and human health. Wild and domestic birds are recognized as the reservoirs of most influenza A viruses.. Reservoirs for all H and N subtypes of avian influenza virus include aquatic birds, particularly waterfowl, in which the vectors multiply in the gastrointestinal tract, producing large amounts of virus usually without producing clinical signs. Land-use changes resulting in farms and wetlands being closer to one another, and open grazing of poultry in rice fields and wetlands shared with wild birds creates mechanisms for transmission of viruses amongst these sectors. As well, spreading of infected manure as fertilizer, or water run-off from infected farms into natural habitats may also explain possible mechanisms by which disease moves from poultry production operations or households into wild bird habitats.

Influenza Surveillance

Globally, influenza activity has decreased from its peak of influenza activity. The WHO’s Global Influenza Programme (GIP) provides global standards for influenza surveillance. In addition GIP collects and analyses virological and epidemiological influenza surveillance data from around the world. The regular sharing of quality influenza surveillance and monitoring data by countries allows WHO to: provide countries, areas and territories with information about influenza transmission in other parts of the world to allow national policy makers to better prepare for upcoming seasons; describe critical features of influenza epidemiology including risk groups, transmission characteristics, and impact; monitor global trends in influenza transmission; and support the selection of influenza strains for vaccine production.

Reverse Genetics of Influenza

Reverse genetics has been used to generate mutant or reassortant influenza viruses to assess their replication, virulence, pathogenicity, host range, and transmissibility. Moreover, this technology is now being used to generate approved influenza virus vaccines and develop novel vaccines to combat seasonal and (future) pandemic influenza viruses. The generation of vaccines for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, including those of the H5N1 subtype, relies on reverse genetics, which allows the production of influenza viruses from cloned cDNA . The process involves the use of mammalian cells and during development of the technology, 293T cells, 293T/MDCK cell mixtures and Vero cells have been used. However, the requirement for a mammalian cell in the reverse genetics process imposes specific regulatory requirements when the rescued virus is intended for use in the development of human vaccine.

Antiviral treatment for Influenza and public health policy

Yearly vaccinations against influenza are recommended by the World Health Organization for those at high risk. The vaccine is usually effective against three or four types of influenza. Outbreaks of influenza occur every year and typically reach epidemic levels at some part of the season. Influenza viruses are constantly changing; they can change from one season to the next and can even change within the course of one flu season. Resistance of influenza A viruses to antiviral drugs can occur spontaneously or emerge during the course of antiviral treatment or antiviral exposure. Antiviral medications currently recommended include oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®). The vast majority of currently circulating influenza viruses are sensitive to these medications. Getting a yearly seasonal flu vaccination is the first and most important step in preventing the flu. The vaccine protects against an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one or two influenza B viruses (depending on the vaccine). CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated each year. Viral infections of the respiratory tract impose a high burden on society. In the last half of the 20th century, efforts to prevent or minimize their impact centred on the use of influenza vaccines. Each year enormous effort goes into producing that year's vaccine and delivering it to appropriate sections of the population.

Welcoming address

Dear Participants,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the International Influenza Conference, organized by OMICS International at the West Drayton, London, United Kingdom from August 24-26, 2015. It is an absolutely optimal time for holding this conference. The available evidence indicates that there has been a paradigm shift in the role of wild aquatic birds in the genesis of influenza viruses that are a threat to both veterinary and human public health. This is a very exciting and very worrying time. Novel H5 influenza viruses continue to emerge and have spread globally. While the imminent impact is on agriculture and to the protein food supply provided by poultry the threat to humans is exemplified by the high mortality caused by H5N1 and H7N9 influenza in those infected. While the H5 influenza viruses have not acquired consistent human-to-human transmissibility the possibility of this occurring is highly credible.

The OMICS meeting brings together the leading scientists in each of the fields required to provide the knowledge and strategies to prevent and control pandemic influenza both in lower animals and in humans. The pros and cons of the use of vaccines to control and eradicate influenza in domestic poultry and the need for additional antiviral drugs and therapeutic modalities for humans will be addressed.

The meeting organized by the OMICS International will facilitate the transfer of knowledge between the participating experts, students and scholars with Young Researcher Forums and poster presentations and will stimulate interdisciplinary interactions.

I am delighted to participate in this important meeting and welcome you to join in the exchange of ideas that can be pivotal to planning for this ongoing influenza global threat.

Sincerely,

Robert G. Webster, PhD, DSc, FRS

Emeritus faculty, Division of Virology

Department of Infectious Diseases

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital