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news.Pfizer has entered into an agreement to acquire two meningitis vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline for about $130m in order to expand its global reach in preventing meningococcal disease.
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The deal will add two quadrivalent meningitis ACWY vaccines, Nimenrix and Mencevax, to Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals’ portfolio.
Nimenrix is a single dose meningococcal ACWY-TT (tetanus toxoid) conjugated vaccine approved for sale in 61 countries outside of the US to protect against Neisseria meningitidis.
Approved in 79 countries outside of the US, Mencevax, a single-dose meningococcal ACWY unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine, is used to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection and for travelers to countries where the disease is endemic.
The sale follows commitments given to the European Commission (EC) and other regulators in connection with the merger control clearances obtained for GSK’s three-part transaction with Novartis.
Under that transaction, GSK acquired Novartis’s vaccines business (excluding influenza vaccines) including the meningitis vaccines Menveo and Bexsero.
In order to satisfy regulatory clearances under the deal, GSK agreed to divest its meningitis vaccines Nimenrix and Mencevax.
Pfizer Vaccines president Susan Silbermann said: "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.
"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."
The agreement with Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals remains subject to final EC approval, other regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, which GSK expects to receive in the coming months.
Image: Pfizer world headquarters. Photo: courtesy of Jim.henderson.