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news.Dutch biotechnology company Crucell NV has won approval for its fully liquid five-part vaccine Quinvaxem in South Korea. The vaccine was co-developed with Chiron Corporation, which provides four of the five components as bulk.
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The vaccine combines antigens for protection against five important childhood diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and hemophilus influenza type b, one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children.
Quinvaxem is the first internationally available fully liquid vaccine containing all five of the above antigens to reach the market, offering a major advantage in terms of convenience of use. Supranational organizations are major customers for combination vaccines, which are used in mass vaccination programs in developing countries.
Crucell will start production of the Quinvaxem vaccine immediately at its Korean subsidiary. First sales are expected in the second half of 2006. The current demand exceeds 50 million doses, with the annual demand expected to increase to more than 150 million doses per year over the next five years.
“This approval by the Korean FDA is an important first step towards becoming a major supplier in pediatric vaccination programs for the developing world. The approval of Quinvaxem is an important milestone for us, which fits perfectly in our strategy to become a leading vaccine player,” said Ronald Brus, Crucell’s CEO.