Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, announced that it is the first international vaccine company to enter the Japanese paediatric vaccine market with ActHIB vaccine (Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine). Sanofi Pasteur's ActHIB vaccine is marketed in Japan by Daiichi-Sankyo Co., Ltd., and will be available starting December 19, 2008.
The World Health Organization estimates that Hib is responsible for three million serious illnesses and an estimated 400 000 deaths per year worldwide, mainly caused by meningitis and pneumonia. Almost all victims are children under the age of five, those between four and 18 months of age being especially vulnerable. Every year in Japan, about 500 children are affected by this devastating disease, of whom approximately 25 die and 100 suffer from serious sequelæ.
"Sanofi Pasteur is proud to help protect Japanese children against bacterial meningitis and improve public health in the country," said Wayne Pisano president and chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur. "Being the first to enter the Japanese paediatric vaccine market is an achievement that underlines Sanofi Pasteur's strength and commitment to provide the highest quality innovative vaccines."
The availability of safe and efficacious Hib conjugate vaccines in the 90's spurred routine immunization in children worldwide, from 26 countries in 1997 to over 120 countries in 2006. Sanofi Pasteur's ActHIB conjugate vaccine has a successful track record worldwide with over 100 million doses used in over 120 countries.
Hib immunization may also be achieved with Hib containing combination vaccines, which simplify implementation and increase compliance with immunization programs. Sanofi Pasteur has a range of Hib containing combination vaccines including: Pentacel, Pediacel and Pentaxim (Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine), and Actacel (Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine).
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is caused by a bacterium that enters the body through the nose or throat and then can spread to cause meningitis (an infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord), blood stream infection, pneumonia, infection of the epiglottis, and other serious infections.
Bacteria are transmitted from person to person in droplets through sneezing or coughing. Infected children may carry Hib bacteria without showing any signs or symptoms of illness, but they can still infect others. The risk of disease is highest for children between six months and two years of age.
Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccine in 2007, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases.