The threat of a pandemic avian influenza outbreak with the potential for human-to-human transmission has loomed over the world since 2004, yet the supply of vaccines to protect the global population, should this event happen, remains frighteningly low. Current forecasts predict that should the outbreak happen tomorrow, there would only be sufficient vaccine for 75 million people, or just one quarter of the US population. To extend the current vaccine stockpile the US Department of Health and Human Services has given research contracts totalling a potential US$246.5 M to GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Iomai for the development of their adjuvant technologies.