Merck (MRK, Financial) has announced that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the approval of Capvaxive, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. This vaccine is intended for active immunization in individuals aged 18 and above, aiming to prevent invasive diseases and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Capvaxive is specifically designed to protect against pneumococcal diseases in adults, targeting serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae that are the leading cause of these conditions. Notably, the vaccine includes eight unique serotypes. It is tailored for adults, covering serotypes responsible for approximately 84% of invasive pneumococcal diseases in individuals aged 50 and older.
The vaccine received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last June, marking a significant milestone in its availability for adult immunization against pneumococcal diseases.
