Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval of the Company's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar 13®* (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]) as a single dose for use in adults. Prevnar 13 is indicated for adults 50 years of age and older for active immunization for the prevention of pneumonia and invasive disease caused by the 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotypes contained in the vaccine.
"Pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, in adults 50 years and older represents a significant personal and societal health burden in the United States. The FDA approval of Prevnar 13 for these adults offers the potential to contribute to the health of millions of aging Americans," said Ian Read, chairman and chief executive officer, Pfizer Inc. "This approval is representative of Pfizer’s dedication to discovering and bringing to market life-changing medicines and vaccines."
Pneumococcal disease (PD) is a leading public health issue in adults 50 years of age and older, a population rapidly increasing in the United States. In this population, there are estimated to be hundreds of thousands of S. pneumoniae infections per year, including more than 440,000 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia, accounting for an estimated 200,000 emergency department visits and 300,000 hospitalizations.
"Clearly, there remains a high incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia in this adult population," said Emilio Emini, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, Vaccine Research, Pfizer Inc. "Prevnar 13 was licensed for adults 50 years and older by the FDA under an accelerated approval pathway because of its potential to help address this significant disease burden."
Pfizer's application to the U.S. FDA was based on safety and immunogenicity studies involving approximately 6,000 adults 50 years of age and older. In these Phase 3 trials, vaccination with Prevnar 13 was shown to induce a functional antibody response to the 13 serotypes contained in the vaccine in adults 50 years of age and older, including individuals previously vaccinated with the conventional pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) and those naïve to pneumococcal vaccines. The effectiveness of Prevnar 13 administered less than five years after PPSV is not known.
The expanded indication approved by the U.S. FDA is based on immune responses elicited by Prevnar 13, and there have been no controlled trials in adults demonstrating a decrease in pneumococcal pneumonia or invasive pneumococcal disease after vaccination with Prevnar 13.
Pfizer is currently conducting the Community-Acquired Pneumonia Immunization Trial in Adults (CAPiTA) to fulfill requirements under the accelerated approval pathway. CAPiTA is an efficacy trial involving more than 84,000 subjects designed to evaluate whether Prevnar 13 is effective in preventing the first episode of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by the 13 pneumococcal serotypes contained in the vaccine.
In addition, Pfizer has agreed, as a post-marketing commitment in connection with the approval by the U.S. FDA, to conduct a study evaluating concomitant use of Prevnar 13 and TIV (annual trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine) in adults 50 years of age and older who have been previously immunized with PPSV.
"As adults grow older they become more susceptible to infectious diseases, such as pneumococcal pneumonia, due to their aging immune systems," said Thomas M. File, Jr., M.D., M.S., president-elect, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. "As a conjugate vaccine, Prevnar 13 offers an important new option for adults 50 years and older to include as part of their preventive strategy for healthy aging."
In addition to the United States, Pfizer has been granted approval for use of Prevnar 13 for various indications in adults 50 years of age and older in the European Union, Australia, Mexico and more than 10 other countries. Prevnar 13 was first approved by the U.S. FDA in February 2010 for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and young children from 6 weeks through 5 years of age.
About Prevnar 13 and Conjugate Technology
Prevnar 13 uses Company-pioneered conjugate technology that links pneumococcal polysaccharide sugar chains found on the surface of each bacterial serotype with a carrier protein. Prevnar 13 uses the carrier protein CRM197, which has more than 20 years of clinical and commercial use in vaccines.
Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease is a group of infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. The most common manifestation of PD in adults 50 years of age and older is non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, a non-invasive form of the disease. PD also causes invasive infections, such as bacteremia and meningitis, in adults.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.
* Prevnar 13 is referred to as Prevenar 13 in most countries outside the United States.