GSK announces positive phase III DTaP-IPV trial results

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has presented the results of a phase III clinical trial of its investigational DTaP-IPV (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis – inactivated poliovirus) vaccine at the annual meeting of the Paediatric Academic Societies in Toronto.

The study compared the safety and efficacy of this combined vaccine with separately-administered DTaP (Infanrix) and IPV (Ipol) vaccines, with M-M-RII (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) given at the same time at a separate site.

According to the results of the trial, children receiving the combined vaccination displayed a safety profile and immunogenicity comparable to those treated with separate injections.

Barbra Howe, vice-president of North American vaccine development at GSK, said: “An increasing number of vaccines are being recommended to prevent childhood diseases, including additional vaccines at the four-to-six year-old doctor’s visit.”

She added that the company was happy to be involved in the development of a combination vaccine that could potentially reduce the number of injections children must undertake to be adequately protected from a range of diseases.

Last month, GSK announced that following successful trials, it had submitted an application for marketing approval for its combination meningococcal meningitis vaccine Globorix with the European Medicines Agency.