The move extends Pfizer’s dominance of this part of the international vaccine market. The three purchased companies — ACWY vaccines, Nimenrix and Mencevax — have been purchased from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for $130 million.
Nimenrix is a single-dose meningococcal tetanus toxoid-based, conjugated vaccine. It is intended to protect against the bacterium Neisseria meningitides. The pathogen can cause meningitis and other forms of meningococcal disease, such as forms of sepsis.
The second vaccine is Mencevax, a single-dose meningococcal unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine. The drug is designed to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection and for travelers to countries where the disease is endemic.
Conjugated vaccines are a “newer generation” drugs, where antigens are conjugated to a protein carrier. Conjugate in this sense means to “temporarily join together.” They allow for better targeting of the infection.
In terms of the application of the vaccine, meningitis is caused by an infection that attacks the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The vaccines contain antigens. These are substances that trigger the body’s immune system and lead it to make antibodies. The antibodies serve to protect the body by killing any bacteria for which the antibodies have been programmed to work against.
Commenting on the new acquisitions, Susan Silbermann, who heads up Pfizer vaccines, told BioPharma Asia: “This helps us to further fulfill our vision to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide and gives us even greater capability to meet the needs of the global community we serve.”
