Pfizer reports positive data from new Prevenar 13 trial

Pfizer has announced positive results from CAPiTA, a new landmark study assessing the benefits of its vaccine product Prevenar 13 among 85,000 subjects.

Data from the landmark study showed Prevenar 13 was able to prevent a first episode of vaccine-type community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults aged 65 and older, meeting the study's primary objective.

This trial is the first in adults to clearly demonstrate a significant reduction in vaccine-type pneumococcal CAP and non-bacteremic/non-invasive vaccine-type pneumococcal CAP, meaning it also met its secondary endpoint goals.

Ageing populations in many developed nations mean hospitalisations due to pneumococcal pneumonia represent a growing burden on public health systems. As such, treatments such as Prevenar 13 could become even more important in future.

Dr Emilio Emini, senior vice-president for vaccine research and development at Pfizer, said: "Evidence from this study is particularly important for a population in which age-related decline of the immune system makes it difficult to prevent disease."

Last year, the company received European Commission approval to update the label of its Prevenar 13 vaccine to include extra information for high-risk patient groups.