Sanofi-Aventis: Vaccine Breakthroughs On the Horizon

In recent months, the global vaccine market has been preparing to charge.

Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY), a constituent in the Clear Global Vaccine Chain ETF (AMEX: JNR), made a recent declaration on January 7th, that it expects its vaccine sales to grow by 10-15% per year, in line with the vaccine market. This impressive claim can be justified by the many exciting developments in progress in the vaccine industry.

One of the stirring prospects in the vaccine world involves the possible eradication of the flu pandemic. A recently developed vaccine proved to be safe and effective in humans and ferrets. This flu vaccine is unprecedented in that it does not need to be recreated each year to protect against different strains because the vaccine attacks an unchanging element of the virus. The simplicity and efficiency of this flu vaccine may put flu pandemics in the same category of vaccine eradicated illnesses such as polio, rubella, and measles.

The progress of an Alzheimer vaccine is another major development in the vaccine industry. Thomson Scientific described the Alzheimer vaccine as one of the most "promising vaccines entering Phase 1 trials". It is estimates that 4.5 million Americans suffer from this debilitating disease and many millions more are touched and frustrated by the illness’s grasp on loved ones.

In addition to the conventional use of vaccines to prevent illness, scientists are broadening the scope to discover other potential vaccine benefits. Vaccines may become the most effective method to fight drug addiction.

There is currently a vaccine in clinical trials that prevents cocaine addicts from experiencing addictive highs. Antibodies spurred by the vaccine bind to the cocaine and prevent it from reaching the brain. Unable to experience the affects, cocaine addicts will quickly lose interest in the drug. This cocaine vaccine may be the long awaited ultimate weapon needed to fight the War on Drugs.

Whether the objective is to prevent physical, mental, or addictive illnesses, scientists accross the vaccine industry are approaching their next milestones. Based on recent achievements, the next few years should be extraordinary ones for the vaccine industry.

Disclosure: Mr. Corn is the CEO of Clear Indexes LLC which publishes the Clear Global Vaccine Index. The index is tracked by the ETF (JNR) issued by Claymore Securites. Mr. Corn owns shares of (JNR).