Sep. 4, 2009 (United Press International) -- A Swiss drug maker may be able to provide a one-dose H1N1 vaccine instead of the two-dose inoculation required previously, the company said Thursday.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. of Basel, Switzerland, said, based on studies conducted through the University of Leicester, it may be able to protect people from A(H1N1) infections within two weeks following administration of a one-time vaccine.

Further clinical experimentation on more than 6,000 children and adults was being conducted worldwide, the company said.

"The study suggests that while two doses seem to provide better protection, one (NASDAQ:PONE) dose of our adjuvanted Celtura vaccine may be sufficient to protect adults against the swine flu. This is important information for public health authorities who prepare for vaccination in the coming months with limited vaccine supply" said Dr. Andrin Oswald, chief executive officer of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.