Pfizer to Acquire Meningitis Vaccines From GSK

Pfizer has agreed to acquire the quadrivalent meningitis ACWY vaccines Nimenrix and Mencevax from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for €115 million. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2015 following all approvals will add two complementary vaccines to the US drugmaker’s portfolio, “allowing us to more completely respond to meningococcal disease outbreaks as well as proactively address a critical public health need,” said Susan Silbermann, president of Pfizer Vaccines.

Nimenrix (meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine), launched by GSK three years ago, is a single dose meningococcal ACWY-TT (tetanus toxoid) conjugated vaccine designed to protect against Neisseria meningitides. It is currently registered and approved for sale in 61 countries across the European Economic Area, Canada, Australia and emerging market with further registrations under review.

Mencevax (meningococcal polysaccharide serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 vaccine),a single-dose meningococcal ACWY unconjugated polysaccharide vaccine used to control outbreaks of meningococcal infection, is currently registered and approved in 79 countries across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and New Zealand.

Pfizer said its vaccine strategy includes growing its core business, advancing its pipeline and enhancing its portfolio through targeted external opportunities that complement its existing products and future pipeline.

The company does not expect the deal with GSK to have any significant impact on its 2015 financial performance.