Merck

Merck announced the company’s Q1 2022 results, reporting year-over-year revenue growth of 50 percent from continuing operations, with worldwide sales increasing to $15.9 billion. As anticipated, Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment Lagevrio (molnupiravir) played a role in the company’s robust sales.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pours investment dollars into disease-fighting efforts, especially for those illnesses that inequitably impact developing nations. The massive non-profit is taking up the cause for a pneumococcal infection with a $90 million investment in Seattle area’s Inventprise. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Merck’s Vaxneuvance (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F in adults 18 years of age and older.

Data from a mid-stage clinical study of an experimental vaccine candidate developed by Affinivax and Astellas Pharma for Streptococcus pneumoniae shows ASP3772 is well tolerated and generated an antibody response against the deadly bacterial infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer Inc.’s Prevnar 20 (Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine) for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by the 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) serotypes in the vaccine in adults ages 18 years and older.

Pfizer Inc. began testing fully vaccinated adults over 65 in a new study that uses the company’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate.

Topline results from two of Merck’s Phase III pediatric trials show the company’s investigational 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, V114, may be safe and effective in healthy children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted for priority review a Biologics License Application (BLA) for Merck’s 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine V114.

Affinivax Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of a novel class of vaccines with its MAPS (Multiple Antigen Presenting System) platform, announced the closing of a $226 million Series C financing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted for priority review Pfizer Inc.’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20vPnC) candidate, as submitted for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in the vaccine in adults ages 18 years and older.