U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) has reported receiving an additional indication approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its globally successful vaccine, Prevenar 13. The approval extends the vaccine’s use to infants and children aged between 6 weeks to 5 years (before the 6th birthday), expanding the previous age range of 6 weeks to 15 months.
Prevenar 13: A Milestone in Pneumococcal Disease Prevention
Prevenar 13 is recognized as the world’s first 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, containing components from 13 different types of the bacterium S. pneumoniae. The vaccine is utilized to prevent invasive diseases caused by 13 pneumococcal serotypes, including (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F). It was initially approved for marketing in China in November 2016.
Chinese Competition in the Pneumococcal Vaccine Market
In the Chinese market, Pfizer’s Prevenar 13 faces competition from domestic vaccines. Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd (SZ.300142) received approval for its 13-valent pneumonia conjugate vaccine in December 2019, marking it as the first home-grown and the world’s second 13-valent pneumonia conjugate vaccine. Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co., Ltd (300601.SZ) further diversified the market with its product becoming the third of its kind globally to gain marketing approval in September 2021.-Fineline Info & Tech
