Pfizer Acquires Baxter's Vaccines Portfolio, Austrian Manufacturing Facility
By Cyndi Root
Pfizer announced in a press release that it has acquired Baxter International vaccine portfolio for $635 million. Pfizer also gains part of Baxter’s vaccine manufacturing facility in Orth, Austria. Baxter vaccines include NeisVac-C for meningitis and FSME-IMMUN/TicoVac for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Susan Silbermann, Pfizer Vaccines President, said that vaccines make a huge impact on public health, stopping the spread of disease and reducing fatalities. She added, “We are working hard to bring innovative vaccines to market that prevent and treat serious diseases. Through this acquisition, we will add two high-quality and life-saving vaccines that bring scale and depth to our portfolio.”
Baxter Vaccine Acquisition
Pfizer’s acquisition of Baxter’s vaccine business is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The company expects to close the deal by the end of 2014. Pfizer does not expect the transaction to affect its financial performance in 2014, while Baxter said that it would be mildly dilutive to its financial position. Baxter stated in its press release on the sale, that the action is part of its strategy to optimize its portfolio, redirect resources, and invest in core areas, such as hematology, immunology, gene therapy, and biosimilars.
Ludwig Hantson, president of Baxter BioScience, said, "We are confident that Pfizer, with its recognized global leadership in vaccines, will provide the dedicated, ongoing investments necessary to support and advance the availability of these important vaccines.”
NeisVac-C
The NeisVac-C vaccine protects against meningitis caused by group C meningococcal meningitis (MenC), an infection of the brain membrane. The serious disease is fatal in 10 to 15 percent of patients, while 30 to 50 percent of patients experience severe physical, cognitive, and social damage, including loss of limbs due to gangrene, skin scars, cerebral infarction, neurosensory hearing loss, and seizures. The NeisVac-C vaccine is indicated for the immunization of children from 2 months of age, adolescents, and adults. The agent comes in a single-dose pre-filled syringe.
FSME-IMMUN/TicoVac
The FSME-IMMUN/TicoVac vaccine protects against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Ticks infected with the TBE virus transmit the virus by biting humans, causing the infection to spread to the brain. The disease is increasing in incidence in Europe and Asia, with thousands of new cases diagnosed. The FSME-IMMUN/TicoVac vaccine has been produced since 1976 and is available in 30 countries.