Merck & Serum Sign for Pneumococcal Vaccine

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will receive specific rights to market PCV in certain designated territories and Serum will receive specific rights in other territories.

Global healthcare company Merck and Serum Institute of India Limited signed an agreement Wednesday to develop and commercialize a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for use in the emerging and developing world countries.

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and other life-threatening ailments. Current estimates show that at least one million children die of pneumococcal disease every year, including mostly young children in developing countries.

Together, Merck and Serum will form a Product Advisory Committee to oversee the activities required to develop and seek approval for PCV and pursue World Health Organization prequalification.