GSK about to sign another big bird flu deal

Europe's largest drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is said to be about to sign another deal to provide tens of millions of doses of it's experimental H5N1 vaccine for humans.

The drug giant is currently talking to the British government about the possibility of stockpiling the vaccine.

The company has already signed a contract with Switzerland to supply 8 million doses of the vaccine, enough vaccine to protect the entire population should bird flu pose a threat.

The company has also reportedly stitched up a deal with Singapore and is also thought to close to signing a deal with the French government.

The firm has also been communicating with the U.S. government with regard to the possibility of a mass vaccination programme.

Although the vaccine is yet to be granted regulatory approval by the European Medicines Agency, the company appears confident that will happen by the end of 2006.