Pfizer Inc announced that the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted 10 to one that the data presented support the safety and effectiveness of its 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate candidate vaccine, Prevnar 13 (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]), for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and young children. The company is seeking an indication for active immunization of infants and toddlers for the prevention of invasive disease (including sepsis, meningitis, bacteremia, bacteremic pneumonia, and empyema) and otitis media caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotypes. The FDA will consider the Advisory Committee’s votes and discussion in its review of the Biologic License Application (BLA) for Prevnar 13, which has an action date of December 30, 2009.

Prevnar 13 includes the seven serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F) in Prevnar (Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]), plus six additional serotypes (1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F, and 19A) associated with the majority of remaining invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and young children in the US Serotype 19A is the most common serotype in the US Prevnar, the standard in pneumococcal disease prevention for infants and young children, was first introduced in the US in 2000.

“Pfizer is very pleased with the outcome of the Advisory Committee’s votes on the safety and effectiveness of Prevnar 13,” said Emilio Emini, chief scientific officer, Vaccine Research, Pfizer Inc. “We look forward to working with the FDA to obtain approval for this important vaccine.”

The Advisory Committee’s votes in support of Prevnar 13 were based on a review of the data from 13 core phase-III studies involving more than 7,000 children. The Advisory Committee’s discussion included consideration of the multiple immunogenicity endpoints in the trials. The committee agreed that the totality of the data supported the effectiveness of Prevnar 13 for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and young children. The committee also discussed the Prevnar 13 safety profile and agreed that the data were adequate to support its safety. In clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events for Prevnar 13 included injection site reactions, irritability, drowsiness/increased sleep, decreased appetite, fever, and restless sleep/decreased sleep.

"Prevnar 13 demonstrates Pfizer’s commitment to vaccine innovation – a key strategic priority for Pfizer and an expression of its vision to broaden and diversify its global product portfolio," says Geno Germano, president and general manager, Specialty Care Business Unit, Pfizer Inc. "These votes by the Advisory Committee bring our Company one step closer to adding an important vaccine to our portfolio."

To date, the company has submitted regulatory applications for Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine [13-valent, Adsorbed]), as it is known outside the US, in 60 countries spanning six continents. The vaccine has been approved in three countries for use in infants and young children. In late September, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion for Prevenar 13. A final decision is expected by European regulatory authorities in December. Additionally, the vaccine is being studied in global phase-III clinical trials for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults, with regulatory submissions expected in 2010.

Prevnar is indicated for active immunization of infants and toddlers against invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae due to capsular serotypes included in the vaccine (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F).