Pfizer highlights meningitis vaccine progress

Pfizer is preparing to present positive data for its meningitis B vaccine candidate rLP2086 at the IDWeek annual meeting in Philadelphia.

The company is currently engaged in a race with rival Novartis to bring an effective vaccine to market in the US, with the latter's Bexsero treatment already available in Europe, Canada and Australia. It has also been awarded the 2014 UK Prix Galien award for innovative products.

Phase II shows rLP2086 is safe and effective when delivered in conjunction with Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) Gardasil in patients aged between 11 and 17, demonstrating no reduction in the efficacy or tolerability of the HPV drug.

This is considered to be an important result, as any new immunisation must be compatible with those forming existing programmes if it is to be adopted on a wide scale.

Phase III trials are currently underway and both rLP2086 and Novartis' Bexsero have been granted breakthrough status by the US Food and Drug administration. The two drugs were submitted to the regulator on the same day and may be subject to a head-to-head review before one reaches the market early next year.