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12.05.2014
OVER 2.5 MLN DOSES PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE PRODUCED BY PETROVAX PHARM
The immunobiological production unit of NPO Petrovax Pharm, a Russian pharmaceutical company, has produced more than 2.5m doses of Prevenar 13, a 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine, in easy to use disposable auto injectors. More than 5m doses are planned to be produced by the end of 2014.

Anti-pneumococcal vaccination has been put on the National Vaccination Calendar since January 2014. Pneumococcal infection is a top priority for the Russian healthcare, given the prevalence and severity of the disease and high risk of disability and mortality. According to the WHO and the Russian Ministry of Health, pneumococcus is the most common cause of pneumonia and bacterial otitis in children under five years and also the most frequent cause of mortality among infants under one year.

There are several anti-pneumococcal vaccines registered in Russia for infants under two years, including Prevenar 13 (PCV 13), a vaccine produced by Russia's Petrovax Pharm in partnership with Pfizer.

Joint production of the 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine was launched in Russia in March 2011, when Petrovax Pharm and Pfizer signed an agreement on cooperation. The parties agreed to produce vaccine at Petrovax's state-of-the-art production site in the Moscow Region. In 2012, the Russian Ministry of Health registered Petrovax Pharm as a local producer of this vaccine. Later on, in 2013, a full-cycle production and quality assurance technology was transferred for the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine.

Arkady Nekrasov, CEO of Petrovax Pharm: “Making a 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine requires one of the most sophisticated biotechnological production processes worldwide, with appropriate technical facilities and high skilled personnel. Petrovax Pharm meets these requirements and has been one of the first Russian companies to engage in such a challenging and responsible task. As part of the joint project with Pfizer, a unique full-cycle production technology was transferred in compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice. No vaccines of such class are being produced elsewhere in Russia currently. Combined, our production capacities can cover 100% of the country's demand for pneumococcal vaccine. Going forward, we plan to produce up to 12 mln doses annually.”