Pfizer acquires UK vaccine company

Pfizer has announced it has acquired Powdermed, an Oxford-based vaccine company.

The world’s largest pharmaceutical company claims that the purchase heralds its foray into the DNA vaccines sector, which Pfizer claims has the potential to “leapfrog” the current egg-based vaccine technology.

Pfizer will inherit Powdermed’s needle-free delivery system, designed to induce a “robust” immune response.

Dr John LaMattina, president of Pfizer global research and development, said the vaccines under development by Powdermed could be the “next major innovation” in the fight to prevent influenza and chronic viral diseases.

Powdermed’s product pipeline includes seasonal influenza vaccines, the most advanced of which is to enter phase II clinical development, while vaccines for the herpes simplex virus, chronic hepatitis B and genital warts are also being researched.

David Shedlarz, vice chairman of Pfizer, said that the Powdermed purchase is an example of the “fresh approach” taken by his company to business development.

“With PowderMed’s novel DNA technology and its portfolio of early-stage vaccine candidates, we are adding high potential, externally sourced product candidates and technologies to our research and development portfolio,” he added.

Powdermed was founded in May 2004 and has partnered the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and GlaxoSmithKline in developing vaccines for cancer and HIV/Aids respectively.