STAT+: Vaxcyte claims success in bid to beat Pfizer and Merck in lucrative vaccine market

Vaxcyte said Monday that its experimental pneumococcal vaccine hit the primary endpoints in a Phase 3 clinical trial, setting up the California-based biotech to compete with Pfizer and Merck. Vaxcyte’s shot, VAX-31, is designed to protect against 31 serotypes, or strains, of bacteria that can cause pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, compared to 20 strains for Pfizer’s Prevnar and 21 strains for Merck’s Capvaxive. In the trial, just over 3,500 adults age 50 and older were randomized to receive VAX-31, Prevnar, or Capvaxive. Investigators then measured the strength of their antibody responses against different strains. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe