Pfizer reports positive data from new Prevenar 13 trial

Pfizer has published new data that demonstrates the efficacy of its pneumococcal disease vaccine Prevenar 13 among a new patient group.

The primary objective of the trial was to demonstrate that the immune response to this compound among adults aged between 18 to 49 years of age is non-inferior to its efficacy among 60 to 64-year-olds.

Prevenar 13 was able to meet its primary objective across all 13 disease serotypes for which the product is indicated, a conclusion that will support Pfizer's efforts to gain regulatory approval for the vaccine for this age group.

The drug is currently approved in more than 110 countries worldwide for use in infants and young children and in over 70 countries for use in adults 50 years of age and older.

Dr William Gruber, senior vice-president for vaccine clinical research and development at Pfizer, said: "Prevenar 13 is the first and only pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults and we continue to study the vaccine in new populations with the aim of broadening its availability."

This comes after the World Health Organization granted an expansion to the prequalification of the vaccine among adults aged 50 and over last month.