The latest order brings the overall value of tenders awarded to Crucell for the period of 2010-2012 to $410m. This is in addition to the $500m obtained over the tender period 2007-2009. They bring the total value of contracts awarded since the launch of Quinvaxem at the end of 2006 to $910m.
Reportedly, during the first tender round in 2006, Crucell was initially awarded $230m (December 2006) and received additional incremental awards of $130m and $140m in May and September 2008, respectively.
Crucell claimed that Quinvaxem is the only fully liquid pentavalent DTwP-HepB-Hib vaccine that is free from the preservative thiomersal. It is an optimal solution for protection against five potentially childhood diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemoplilus influenza type b infection and hepatitis B.
Quinvaxem is ready for use without further preparation steps by healthcare workers in the field, which offers major healthcare advantages for these countries with a challenging infrastructure and hygiene problems.