Astellas Pharma launches new vaccine in Japan

Singapore: Astellas Pharma has launched the combined vaccine for the prevention of pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis (Quattrovac subcutaneous injection syringe), which is manufactured by the Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute (KAKETSUKEN), in the Japanese market.

The vaccine is made by combining the bulk materials of KAKETSUKEN's Adsorbed Purified Pertussis Diptheria Tetanus Combined Vaccine (DPT vaccine) with the bulk of inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine derived from purified attenuated polio viruses (Sabin type 1, 2, and 3) cultured in Vero cells (a cell-line derived from African Green Monkey kidney cells) made by the
Japan Poliomyelitis Research Institute.

A marketing authorization was approved for the first time in Japan in July 2012. Results showing efficacy in the prevention of pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis and safety were obtained in clinical trials with 0.5ml subcutaneous injections per dose to children three months old or older but under 90 months old under the same vaccination schedule as the existing DPT vaccines.

The vaccine is manufactured at KAKETSUKEN. Astellas Pharma will conduct national sales and promotional activities like its other vaccine and blood plasma products. Both companies will conduct joint sales promotion in the Kyushu area.