Pfizer purchases meningitis vaccine products from GlaxoSmithKline

Pfizer has agreed a deal to purchase the quadrivalent meningitis ACWY vaccines Nimenrix and Mencevax from GlaxoSmithKline in a deal worth $130 million (82.26 million pounds).

Nimenrix is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY-TT conjugated vaccine designed to protect against Neisseria meningitidis, an uncommon but highly contagious form of the disease. It is currently registered and approved for sale in 61 countries.

Meanwhile, Mencevax is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine used to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection, as well as being used among travellers to high-risk areas. It is approved in 79 countries.

The deal adds two high-quality and complementary vaccines to Pfizer's portfolio, allowing the company to reach a broader global population.

Susan Silbermann, president for Pfizer Vaccines, said: "Adding these two innovative and complementary vaccines to our current portfolio will allow us to more completely respond to meningococcal disease outbreaks as well as proactively address a critical public health need – the prevention of meningococcal disease across all ages."

Vaccines are a crucial area of focus for Pfizer, which agreed a deal to purchase the vaccines portfolio of Baxter last year.