Makers of H1N1 vaccines reported sales of $3.3 billion in 2009, according to a new report.
According to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, there was no clear model for pharma companies to follow in marketing the H1N1 vaccine.
Nonetheless, the contracting, production and distribution of this vaccine will be a model for future pandemic vaccines, said Bruce Carlson, Kalorama's publisher.
"It was a unique product and each company adopted a different strategy," said Carlson.
He said Novartis capitalized on its knowledge of pandemic flu vaccines to become first to market with a vaccine and earned the largest U.S. contract, while Glaxo performed better in the international market.
For Astra Zeneca, a unique delivery method earned them market share.
"Astra Zeneca didn't earn the revenue of the others, but the H1N1 pandemic gave them an important showcase for intranasal delivery," Carlson said. "Response to the Flu Mist product for the seasonal flu vaccine had been slow, but it was broadly utilized for H1N1 shots, and consumers and providers are now more comfortable with the intranasal option."
H1N1 'Swine Flu' Vaccine Market Review details the challenges of delivering a recently approved vaccine, which required companies to respond with historic efforts. Companies hired temporary workers, pulled staff from other projects and constructed unique procurement and distribution models to produce and distribute the vaccine in a five-month time frame last year.
Most H1N1 vaccines are produced from chicken eggs, setting off a race to secure enough eggs from suppliers. Syringes were also a logistical challenge. Delays led to supply problems at the time the vaccine was publicized, and challenges in dealing with overstocks and negative publicity.
The types of revenues earned by these companies are not likely to recur, however. Carlson said FDA and WHO recommendations will add the H1N1 strain into this year's seasonal flu, since it is likely to be a common strain in the upcoming flu season.
"Most companies have been careful to warn investors that H1N1 revenues are a one-time event," Carlson said. "We expect a quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1's market impact will be seen in the increase in influenza vaccine sales over past seasons."