Wyeth

Wyeth's PCV vax better than current blockbuster

Calisha Myers — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:39:47 -0400

Wyeth's investigational pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) for young children, Prevnar-13, appears to offer better protection than the current blockbuster vaccine, Prevnar. The New Jersey-based company presented data from four European studies on Monday, including a 604-infant trial conducted in Germany.

Wyeth has high hopes for Prevnar-13, which is designed to protect against six more disease-causing types of the bacteria streptococcus pneumoniae than Prevnar, including the most harmful strain, 19A. Worldwide sales of Prevnar grew by 13 percent in the third quarter and has been responsible for revenue of more than $2 billion a year to date. According to the CDC, as of 2006, Prevnar--the only PCV currently approved for young children--had reduced the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in children 5 and under by nearly 80 percent in the U.S. Wyeth hopes Prevnar-13 will increase the prevention rate to 92 percent.

The company, which plans to submit its application to the FDA early next year, hopes to expand sales of the vax into developing countries as well.

- check out the WSJ article for more

Wyeth seeking regulatory approval for Prevnar-13

John Carroll — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:00:53 -0400

Wyeth is putting the finishing touches on its regulatory application for Prevnar-13, the latest generation in a series of jabs that defend against pneumococcal disease. Wyeth researchers say that this version could offer broader protection against the bacteria that triggers pneumococcal disease and extend its effectiveness to older adults. The applications will be filed in the U.S. and Europe early next year.

"We haven't gotten rid of all the diseases," said Matt Moore, medical epidemiologist with the CDC. "That's our goal. We want to get rid of it all."

The blockbuster Prevnar was originally introduced in 2000, when streptococcus pneumonia caused 21 to 33 cases per 100,000 population each year. That number has now dropped to 13. Late stage data on Prevnar-13 will be released later this month. Wyeth does face new competition, though, from GlaxoSmithKline.

- read the report from the Wall Street Journal

Whistleblowers allege problems with Wyeth's Prevnar

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:59:55 -0500

Two former Wyeth workers continue to cause controversy for Wyeth's blockbuster vaccine Prevnar. Wyeth disclosed recently that the workers' whistleblower suits accused the company of making false statements to the government concerning manufacturing problems with the vaccine.

Anthony Sokol, a manufacturing scientist, says he was fired after raising concerns regarding the vaccine and that Wyeth had concealed and misrepresented the data it gave to the government. Sokol's suit alleges he was fired in 2005. Prevnar earned $2.4 billion in sales last year.

- read the report from the Wall Street Journal

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