Pneumococcal disease: World Health Organization Grants Prequalification for Global Use to GSK’s Vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification for global use to Synflorix™ , GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals’ pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The prequalification is the first for a vaccine against pneumococcal disease, which is a life-threatening disease affecting many children under five in developing countries. The WHO prequalification allows UN agencies to purchase vaccines on behalf of developing countries and will accelerate global access to Synflorix™.  The endorsement comes less than a year after the vaccine’s first licensure in an industrialized country and just a few days after the First World Pneumonia Day, marked on 02 November. 

“GSK designed Synflorix™ to offer the right protection to children all over the world," said Jean Stéphenne, CEO of GSK Biologicals.  “The vaccine helps protect against 10 strains of pneumococcal disease and can make a lasting public health impact in developing countries, where the disease burden is greatest. GSK is especially proud to be the first company to receive prequalification for a pneumococcal vaccine that can save so many lives and dramatically alter the world’s fight against pneumonia." 

The WHO awarded prequalification for global use to a one-dose vial presentation of Synflorix™, which certifies the vaccine’s safety profile. GSK is working closely with the WHO to review a file for the prequalification of a two-dose vial, a presentation that could make more efficient use of limited refrigeration space in low-resource settings. 

Among the 10 pneumococcal strains for which Synflorix™ offers protection, three – 1, 5 and 7F – are common in developing countries and are not currently prevented by the widely available pneumococcal vaccines. These strains must be addressed to significantly help reduce the global burden of pneumococcal disease, which results in nearly one million children fatalities in developing countries each year. 

The rigorous WHO prequalification process began in early 2008, when GSK submitted for WHO prequalification within weeks of filing for approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).  To receive WHO approval, new vaccines must demonstrate clinical impact in relevant settings and meet high international production standards.  Before approval is granted, the WHO conducts quality assurance tests on individual vaccine batches, thoroughly inspects manufacturing sites and consults closely with the relevant regulatory agency where the vaccine will be manufactured, in this case, the EMEA. 

“Today’s WHO prequalification of Synflorix™ is an important step toward universal access to life-saving pneumococcal vaccines for children everywhere,” said Orin Levine, Executive Director of PneumoADIP at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  “Now, suppliers, international agencies, donors, and local governments must assure that these vaccines reach the children who need them most.” 

GSK currently manufactures Synflorix™ at its plant in Belgium.  In June 2009, GSK opened a new $411 million plant in Singapore, which will have the capacity to meet the enormous need for pneumococcal vaccines in global markets in the coming years. 

Today’s WHO endorsement of Synflorix™ continues GSK’s track record of seeking rapid WHO prequalification for its life-saving vaccines.  GSK was also awarded prequalification for Cervarix®, its cervical cancer vaccine, in July 2009 and received an extended prequalification for Rotarix™, another crucial vaccine against rotavirus, in June.  Together, these three endorsements will speed access to vaccines for major global health threats and save millions of lives over the coming years.