Wyeth pneumococcal conjugate vaccine praised by CHMP

Wyeth has received positive comments from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevenar 13 (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (13-valent adsorbed)).

The CHMP has recommended the use of Prevenar 13 for the active immunisation of children aged between six weeks and five years old for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia and otitis media (middle ear infection) caused by 13 pneumococcal serotypes.

These comments will now be submitted to the European commission and Wyeth expects final confirmation of the advice over the coming months.

Emilio Emini, executive vice-president of vaccine research and development for the firm, stated that if it is approved, the drug will “provide coverage for the 13 most prevalent pneumococcal-disease causing serotypes, including serotype 19A, which has emerged as a serious public health threat in Europe and around the world.”

In August, Wyeth announced that the Food and Drug Administration had extended its review of the Biologics Licence Application for Prevan 13 by a further 90 days.