Pfizer Inc. has agreed two acquire meningitis vaccines from
GlaxoSmithKline PLC for about $130 million, a move to expand its
global reach in preventing meningococcal disease.
New York-based Pfizer said it would buy Nimenrix and Mencevax,
both single-dose meningococcal vaccines. Nimenrix, launched three
years ago, is approved for sale in 61 countries outside of the U.S.
Mencevax, approved in 79 countries outside of the U.S., is used to
control outbreaks of meningococcal infection and for travelers to
countries where the disease is endemic.
The acquisitions follow Pfizer's purchase last year of Baxter
International Inc.'s meningococcal disease vaccine NeisVac-C, as
well as approval in the U.S. of its drug Trumenba to protect
against erogroup B meningococcal disease in individuals 10 through
25 years of age.
Adding the two latest vaccines "will allow us to more completely
respond to meningococcal disease outbreaks," said president for
Pfizer Vaccines, Susan Silbermann.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half
of this year and isn't expected to have any significant impact on
this year's financial performance, Pfizer said.
Write to Lisa Beilfuss at lisa.beilfuss@wsj.com
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