Wyeth is putting the finishing touches on its regulatory application for Prevnar-13, the latest generation in a series of jabs that defend against pneumococcal disease. Wyeth researchers say that this version could offer broader protection against the bacteria that triggers pneumococcal disease and extend its effectiveness to older adults. The applications will be filed in the U.S. and Europe early next year.
"We haven't gotten rid of all the diseases," said Matt Moore, medical epidemiologist with the CDC. "That's our goal. We want to get rid of it all."
The blockbuster Prevnar was originally introduced in 2000, when streptococcus pneumonia caused 21 to 33 cases per 100,000 population each year. That number has now dropped to 13. Late stage data on Prevnar-13 will be released later this month. Wyeth does face new competition, though, from GlaxoSmithKline.
- read the report from the Wall Street Journal