GSK confirms ‘sustained protection’ with Rotarix

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has confirmed that new data published in The Lancet shows its rotavirus vaccine Rotarix to offer sustained and broad protection against common circulating rotavirus types.

Data from a European clinical vaccine trial demonstrated Rotarix to be effective against the five most common rotavirus types.

The results were drawn from a Phase III trial involving 4,000 infants where each child received two doses of Rotarix concomitantly with other routine primary childhood vaccines.

Rotarix was found to provide broad and sustained protection through two consecutive rotavirus seasons (early December through to late May) with vaccine efficacy during the follow-up period at 90 per cent against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis and 96 per cent against rotavirus hospitalisations irrespective of the rotavirus type.

Dr Thomas Breuer, chief medical officer at GSK Biologicals, confirmed that the vaccine’s demonstrated efficacy was “scientifically very important”.

“This data provides further supporting evidence that GSK’s live-attenuated human rotavirus vaccine effectively mimics natural infection.”

The five most common rotavirus types are responsible for more than 98 per cent of rotavirus gastroenteritis disease in Europe during the first two years of life.

Also this week, GSK announced that it is to acquire Reliant Pharmaceuticals for $1.65 billion (800 million pounds) in cash.