Wyeth says Chile approves Prevnar 13 vaccine

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - Wyeth on Tuesday reported the first marketing approval for a new version of its vaccine Prevnar, as the drug was cleared by regulators in Chile.

Prevnar is the world's best selling vaccine, with sales of about $2.7 billion in 2008. The original version of the vaccine blocks seven strains of pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause diseases including ear infections and meningitis. The version approved in Chile, which will be marketed under the name Prevenar 13 Valent, is intended to block a total of 13 strains.

The approval covers children age 6 weeks to 5 years, and Wyeth said it will launch the drug later this year. The company has asked regulators in more than 50 countries to approve Prevnar 13, and the Food and Drug Administration is expected to complete a review by early November.

Pneumococcal disease is a group of illnesses caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Wyeth said the diseases kills about a million children each year, making them the largest vaccine-preventable killer of children in the world.

In afternoon trading, Wyeth shares added 27 cents to $45.82. Pfizer Inc. agreed to buy the company in January for $68 billion.

(This version CORRECTS that drug blocks strains of bacteria and not diseases.)

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