Merck going head-to-head with Pfizer on pneumococcal vaccine

Merck has posted positive results from two Phase 3 trials for its next-gen pneumococcal vaccine — increasing its competitive edge against Pfizer, whose own shot, Prevnar, is a top-seller. Merck plans to file with the FDA later this year, amping up a rivalry between the two drug giants to the tune of billions of dollars. Pfizer is working on a similar timeline, developing a more advanced version of its existing pneumococcal vaccine. 

In one study of healthy volunteers over the age of 50, Merck’s 15-valent pneumococcal vaccine candidate was just as effective as Pfizer’s Prevnar 13 vaccine. And it actually was more protective against certain strains of pneumococcal disease, FiercePharma points out. 

Earlier this summer, however, SVB Leerink analyst Geoffrey Porges posited that Pfizer’s new vaccine would “ultimately win majority share” in adults. In infants, Merck seems to be edging ahead.