Wyeth launches Prevenar

Wyeth Ltd has launched Prevenar, its seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine indicated for active immunisation of children against invasive pneumococcal disease.

The seven-valent vaccine would prevent diseases like sepsis, meningitis, bacteraemic pneumonia and bacteraemia, caused by streptococcus pneumomiae, in children.

The vaccine is priced at around Rs 3,300 per vial in India. Ranga Iyer, MD, Wyeth, said the product was priced on par with its global pricing.

Currently, the vaccine was being imported from its US facility and had no plan to manufacture it here, he said.

"We have not fixed any sales target for the vaccine in the first year as it will need lot of awareness and product education pragramme in the country in the initial face to achieve a substantial market presence," he said.

Earlier, Wyeth had plans to launch this product through its 100 per cent subsidiary in India. However, following strong resistance from the shareholders to this decision, he company had forged an agreement with its US parent to retain the right to market Prevenar in the country.