Pfizer completes $130 million purchase of two GSK vaccines

Pfizer's New York HQ

Pfizer has announced that it has completed the $130 million acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY vaccines Nimenrix and Mencevax.

Having signed the agreement earlier this year, Pfizer’s president and general manager of vaccines, Susan Silbermann, says: “The addition of Nimenrix and Mencevax helps us to fulfil our vision to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide. These vaccines add high-quality and complementary vaccines to our existing portfolio, allowing us to reach a broader global population.”

Nimenrix is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY-TT (tetanus toxoid) conjugated vaccine designed to protect against Neisseria meningitidis, an uncommon but highly contagious disease that can lead to disability and death.

Launched three years ago, Nimenrix is presently registered and approved for sale in 63 countries across the European Economic Area, Canada, Australia and Emerging Markets, with registrations under review in another 17 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Mencevax is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine used to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection and for travellers in countries where the disease is endemic or highly epidemic.

Mencevax is indicated for use across all age groups from two years of age, and is presently registered and approved in 78 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and New Zealand.

In 2014, Pfizer received US approval for Trumenbam, which provides protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease for individuals aged 10 to 25 years, whilst also acquiring Baxter's NeisVac-C for protection against serogroup C meningococcal disease.

Yasmita Kumar