Pfizer Inc has acquired a controlling interest in Redvax GmbH, a spin-off from Redbiotec AG, a privately held Swiss biopharmaceutical company, based in Zurich-Schlieren. This transaction provides access to a preclinical human cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine candidate, as well as intellectual property and a technology platform related to a second, undisclosed vaccine programme.

The CMV vaccine programme will complement Pfizer’s robust research portfolio of high-quality and life-saving investigational vaccines and place Pfizer among the leaders in CMV research and development. CMV is a herpes virus, infecting 50-90 per cent of the adult population, with a majority remaining asymptomatic. A large segment of young adults, especially women of childbearing age who remain CMV negative, are at high risk of CMV infection during pregnancy and of passing the infection on to the unborn child (congenital infection). There are potentially serious and lifelong consequences for babies born with the disease. One out of every five children born with CMV infection may experience hearing loss and severe neurologic disorders. More children have disabilities due to congenital CMV than other well-known infections and syndromes, including Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, spina bifida, and paediatric HIV/AIDS.

“We are working to bring innovative vaccines to market that prevent and treat serious diseases,” said Kathrin U. Jansen, senior vice president & CSO Vaccine research and early development for Pfizer. “Through the acquisition of the Redvax innovative CMV vaccine platform and expertise we will seek to develop a vaccine to prevent a difficult disease that can have a devastating and lifelong impact on young children.”

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that, in the US, approximately 5,000 children each year develop lasting health problems caused by CMV such as hearing or vision loss, and mental disability. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has ranked the development of a CMV vaccine as a highest priority because of the lives it would save and the disabilities it would prevent. The estimated costs associated with CMV disease for the US health care system amounts to at least $1.86 billion annually. CMV expenses can run more than $300,000 per child.

Christian Schaub, chief executive officer, of Redbiotec and managing director of Redvax commented, “We are pleased to have completed this deal with Pfizer, a global leader in vaccines. This represents an important step toward the development of a much needed vaccine for CMV, a disease that has a devastating impact on children and families. We believe that combining Redvax’s assets with Pfizer’s commitment, expertise and resources will significantly enhance the potential of developing this important vaccine.”