Philip Morris International has purchased a large percentage of shares in Medicago, a Canadian firm, which plans to make vaccines from tobacco leaves.

In the deal announced on 22 September, Philip Morris is to buy shares and warrants that will give it a 49.9-per-cent stake in Medicago. The biotechnology company said the proceeds of the private placement "will be used to further fund the development of Medicago's pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines." Medicago's technology, if successful, will make use of substantial amounts of greenhouse-grown tobacco. (pi)