Pfizer to acquire meningitis vaccines from GSK for $130M
NEW YORK — Pfizer has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to acquire its quadrivalent meningitis ACWY vaccines, Nimenrix and Mencevax, for approximately $130 million.
This transaction will add two complementary vaccines to Pfizer’s portfolio, allowing the company to reach a broader global population.
Nimenrix (meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine) is a single dose meningococcal ACWY-TT (tetanus toxoid) conjugated vaccine designed to protect against Neisseria meningitidis, an uncommon but highly contagious disease that can lead to disability and death. Launched three years ago, it is indicated for all age groups older than 1 year of age. Nimenrix is currently registered and approved for sale in 61 countries across the European Economic Area (EEA 30), Canada, Australia and Emerging Markets, with registrations under review in another 18 countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Mencevax (meningococcal polysaccharide serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 vaccine) is a single-dose meningococcal ACWY unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine used to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection and for travelers to countries where the disease is endemic or highly epidemic. Mencevax is indicated for use across all age groups from 2 years of age, and is currently registered and approved in 79 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and New Zealand.
“The addition of Nimenrix and Mencevax is an important milestone for Pfizer Vaccines. 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,” stated Susan Silbermann, president, Pfizer Vaccines. “Acquiring these quadrivalent vaccines will broaden our ability to address the burden of meningococcal meningitis – an uncommon but serious and sometimes fatal disease. This helps us to further fulfill our vision to protect lives with innovative vaccines to fight serious diseases worldwide and gives us even greater capability to meet the needs of the global community we serve.”
With the approval in 2014 of Trumenba (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine) in the United States for protection against serogroup B meningococcal disease in individuals 10 through 25 years of age, the acquisition of NeisVac-C for protection against serogroup C meningococcal disease from Baxter last year, and the addition of these two quadrivalent meningitis vaccines, the company stated that it is working to create a broad portfolio focused on helping prevent meningococcal disease as well as used for outbreak control.
Pfizer does not expect this transaction to have any significant impact on its 2015 financial performance. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions as well as regulatory approvals in several markets and is expected to occur in the second half of 2015.