Pfizer has signed an agreement to acquire quadrivalent meningitis ACWY vaccines Nimenrix and Mencevax from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for around $130m (€115m).
Nimenrix (meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine) is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY-TT (tetanus toxoid) conjugated vaccine that has been developed to provide protection against Neisseria meningitidis.
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Neisseria meningitidis is an uncommon but highly contagious disease that may result in disability and death. Nimenrix is indicated for all age groups above one year of age.
Nimenrix has been approved for sale in 61 countries across the European Economic Area (EEA 30), Canada, Australia and emerging markets.
It is under review with registrations in additional 18 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Pfizer Vaccines president Susan Silbermann said: "The addition of Nimenrix and Mencevax is an important milestone for Pfizer Vaccines.
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By GlobalData"Adding these two innovative and complementary vaccines to our current portfolio will allow us to more completely respond to meningococcal disease outbreaks, as well as proactively address a critical public health need, the prevention of meningococcal disease across all ages."
Mencevax (meningococcal polysaccharide serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 vaccine) is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine designed to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection and for travellers to countries where the disease is endemic or highly epidemic.
It can be used across all age groups from two years of age and currently approved in 79 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and New Zealand.
In 2014, Pfizer received US approval for Trumenbam (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine) to provide protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease in individuals aged ten to 25 years and also acquired Baxter’s NeisVac-C to offer protection against serogroup C meningococcal disease.
Image: Pfizer world headquarters. Photo: courtesy of Jim.henderson.
