Pfizer completes takeover of Baxter’s vaccines business

Pfizer has announced the completion of its takeover of Baxter's portfolio of marketed vaccines, thus expanding its own capabilities in this strategically important field.

The deal sees Pfizer gain ownership of NeisVac-C, a vaccine that helps protect against meningitis caused by group C meningococci, one of the most prevalent meningococcal serogroups in many parts of the world.

It also includes FSME-IMMUN/TicoVac, a vaccine that helps protect against tick-borne encephalitis. It is approved in 30 countries and has been marketed for more than 30 years, with approximately 120 million doses produced since 1976.

In addition to these therapies, Pfizer has acquired a portion of Baxter's facility in Orth, Austria, where these vaccines are manufactured.

Susan Silbermann, president and general manager of Pfizer Vaccines, said: "These best-in-class products enable us to reach a broader population with vaccines that prevent infections from serious and often fatal diseases."

Baxter agreed to this sale in order to help optimise its portfolio and enhance focus on specific disease areas, coinciding with its move to spinoff of its bioscience organisation into a separate, independent global biopharmaceutical company.