Breaking News From Pharma & Bio Ingredients Subscribe via RSS Subscribe via RSS



Crucell Wins $230 Million Vaccine Contract


Posted on 2006-12-01 08:27:00



Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. has been awarded contracts totaling over US $230 million for its Quinvaxem and Hepavax-Gene paediatric vaccines by supranational organizations. The contracts cover the next three years until 2009, with the awarded amount growing over those three years.

Following the WHO prequalification in September 2006 the combination vaccine was made available to supranational purchasing organizations. Supranational organizations are major customers for combination vaccines, which are used in large vaccination programs in developing countries.

Quinvaxem, a fully-liquid pentavalent vaccine for children, was co-developed with Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics and is produced in Crucell's laboratories in South Korea. The vaccine combines antigens for protection against five important childhood diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b, one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis and pneumonia in children.

Current demand for the Quinvaxem vaccine exceeds 50 million doses. The total market potential is 150 million doses per year in 3 to 4 years.

The Hepavax-Gene, recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, is one of the WHO's pre-qualified vaccines for active immunization against the hepatitis B virus. Young children infected with HBV are the most likely to develop chronic infections. Hepavax-Gene® was internationally introduced in 1996 and has become one of today's major hepatitis B vaccines supplied to more than 90 countries.

"The multiple year contracts that the supranational organizations have granted to Crucell, underline Crucell's position as a leading supplier of important vaccines. Quinvaxem is the first internationally available fully-liquid vaccine containing these five life saving antigens and it will make a significant contribution to children's vaccination programs in the developing world," stated Crucell's CEO, Dr Ronald H.P. Brus. "Quinvaxem will be an important contributor to the Company's 2006 total revenues, estimated between 140-150 million euros and its aim to achieve cash break-even in 2007."


NEWS ARCHIVES

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP