NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE) June 22, 2020 -- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced the initiation of four Phase 3 clinical trials within its current pipeline of investigational vaccines:

• Two studies (NCT04382326 and NCT04379713) of the 20-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine candidate, 20vPnC, evaluating a four-dose series in infants starting at 2 months of age. Both studies will expand the data on the safety and tolerability of the investigational vaccine in infants and include a control group of Prevnar 13® (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]). Study NCT04382326 has the goal of determining immunologic noninferiority between 20vPnC and Prevnar 13®, a critical requirement for vaccine licensure.
• One study (NCT04424316) of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate, RSVpreF, in pregnant women to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RSVpreF in infants born to immunized pregnant women as compared to placebo.
• One study (NCT04440163) of the pentavalent meningococcal vaccine candidate, MenABCWY, in adolescents and young adults to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the MenABCWY vaccine candidate compared to licensed meningococcal vaccines, with the goal of determining immunologic noninferiority.

“The start of four Phase 3 studies across our portfolio of investigational vaccines is a testament to the talented and dedicated colleagues working throughout Pfizer, and the continued commitment to unlock the potential promise and value that vaccines hold for our world,” said Kathrin U. Jansen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Vaccine Research & Development at Pfizer Inc. “If approved, all three vaccine candidates could help prevent serious, possibly deadly infectious diseases that negatively impact millions of people of all ages globally.”

About 20vPnC Pediatric

Approximately 3,500 infants will be enrolled in total for these two studies. In both studies, infants will be vaccinated with either 20vPnC or Prevnar 13® (13vPnC) at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months of age, along with other routine infant vaccines according to the current CDC recommended schedule. Additional information can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov under the identifiers NCT04382326 and NCT04379713. The results of the descriptive Phase 2 infant study with 20vPnC (NCT03512288) have been submitted for presentation at ID Week 2020.

In May 2017 the FDA granted Fast Track status for a pediatric indication for 20vPnC.1

Global Burden of Pneumococcal Disease

Pfizer’s 20vPnC vaccine candidate includes 13 serotypes already included in Prevnar 13® (13vPnC). Together, the 20 serotypes included in 20vPnC are responsible for the majority of currently circulating pneumococcal disease in the U.S. and globally.2,3,4,5,6,7,8

About RSVpreF

The Phase 3 trial of RSVpreF is a global, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will enroll 6,900 pregnant women ages 18 through 49 and their infants. Additional information about the study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT04424316.

In April 2020, positive top-line results were achieved for a Phase 2b proof-of-concept study of RSVpreF, which evaluated the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of RSVpreF in vaccinated pregnant women ages 18 through 49 and their infants. Detailed results from the study will be shared at a future medical conference. In November 2018, the FDA granted Fast Track status to RSVpreF for prevention of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness in infants by active immunization of pregnant women.

Global Burden of RSV

RSV is a virus that can cause severe respiratory disease in infants and older adults.9,10 Globally, there are an estimated 33 million cases of RSV annually in children less than 5 years of age, with about 3 million hospitalized and approximately 120,000 dying each year from complications associated with the infection. Nearly half of these pediatric hospitalizations and deaths occur in infants less than 6 months of age.11 The medical community is limited to offering only supportive care for those with the illness.

About MenABCWY

The Phase 3 trial will enroll approximately 2,413 adolescents and young adults (10 through 25 years of age) from the United States and Europe. Additional information about the study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT04440163.

Initiation of the Phase 3 trial is based on positive results from a proof-of-concept study (NCT03135834) in 543 adolescents and young adults. Detailed results from the proof-of-concept study have been submitted for presentation at ID Week 2020.

Pfizer’s pentavalent meningococcal vaccine candidate combines its two approved meningococcal vaccines, Nimenrix™ (meningococcal group A, C, W-135, and Y conjugate vaccine) and Trumenba® (meningococcal group B vaccine). Approvals of Nimenrix™ and Trumenba® vary by country.

Global Burden of Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious disease that can attack without warning12,13 and lead to meningitis and serious blood infections.14,15 The majority of invasive meningococcal disease cases worldwide can be attributed to five Neisseria meningitidis groups (A, B, C, W and Y).16 Together, these meningococcal groups account for 96% of all invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), with group B accounting for the majority of disease in adolescents and young adults in the U.S. and Europe.17,18,19

Pfizer Inc: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube, and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

1 Data on file. Pfizer Inc., New York, NY

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Active Bacterial Core (ABCs) surveillance. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Atlanta, GA.

3 Ladhani, SN, Collins S, Djennad A, et al. Rapid increase in non-vaccine serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease in England and Wales, 2000–17: a prospective national observational cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(4):441-451.

4 Menéndez R, España PP, Pérez-Trallero E, et al. The burden of PCV13 serotypes in hospitalized pneumococcal pneumonia in Spain using a novel urinary antigen detection test. CAPA study. Vaccine. 2017;35(39):5264-5270.

5 Azzari C, Cortimiglia M, Nieddu F, et al. Pneumococcal serotype distribution in adults with invasive disease and in carrier children in Italy: Should we expect herd protection of adults through infants’ vaccination? Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2016;12(2):344-350.

6 Pivlishi T. Impact of PCV13 on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) burden and the serotype distribution in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. October 24th, 2018.

7 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Invasive pneumococcal disease. In: ECDC. Annual epidemiological report for 2016. Stockholm: ECDC; 2018.

8 Beall B, Chochua S, Gertz RE Jr, et al. A population-based descriptive atlas of invasive pneumococcal strains recovered within the U.S. during 2015-2016. Front Microbiol. 2018;19(9).

9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV).” Accessed 2 June 2020. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Symptoms and Care.” Accessed 2 June 2020. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

11 Shi et al. Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children in 2015: a systematic review and modelling study. Lancet 2017 Sep 2; 390(10098): 946–958: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5592248/

12 Poland GA. Prevention of meningococcal disease: current use of polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;50:S45-S53.

13 Serogroup B Meningococcal (MenB) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mening-serogroup.html. Updated August 15, 2019. Accessed March 11, 2020.

14 Meningococcal meningitis: signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/symptoms.html. Updated June 7, 2017. Accessed March 11, 2020.

15 Meningococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html. Updated January 21, 2020. Accessed March 11, 2020.

16 Microb Pathog. 2019 Sep;134:103571. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103571. Epub 2019 Jun 1.

17 Purmohamad A et al. Microbial Pathogenesis 134 (2019) 103571

18https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/AER_for_2017-invasive-meningococcal-disease.pdf.

19 Soeters HM et al Emerging Infectious Diseases 2019: 25(3); 434-440

Source: Pfizer Inc.

Posted: June 2020