Health/Medical: Pneumococcal Immunisation programs across Asia Pacific

Data reinforces urgent need for pneumococcal disease national immunisation programs across Asia Pacific

Jakarta - /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ -
-- Data confirm the high burden of pneumococcal disease in the Asia Pacific region --

Data presented yesterday at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD) in Reykjavik, Iceland shows the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to prevent infection is a more effective approach to reducing the burden of disease than any successful treatment option.[1]

This is an important finding given that Pneumococcal Disease (PD) burden is high in Asia.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7) is the only licensed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and is part of the routine national childhood immunization schedule in many countries around the world.[2]

Despite that fact that worldwide, PD is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death in children under five, in Asia Pacific, only Australia and New Zealand have included the PCV-7 as part of its national immunization program.

"While there is a compelling body of evidence demonstrating the public health and economic impact of routine childhood vaccination with PCV7 in a number of countries, we now have data from Asia that convincingly support these benefits regionally," says Kenneth K.C. Lee, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Director of External Affairs, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China.

"By routinely vaccinating our children against pneumococcal disease, we have the ability to help protect the broader community unvaccinated children, parents and grandparents and, with evidence that routine vaccination represents a sound economic investment, there is no reason to delay action to help save lives now."

Due to the significant burden of pneumococcal disease and demonstrated vaccine efficacy, World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the priority inclusion of PCV7 in national childhood immunization programs worldwide.[3]

Specifically, data from Hong Kong and Singapore project that routine use of PCV7 over a 10-year period could prevent an estimated 524 cases and 290 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), respectively, among the birth cohort[4],[5]. In Hong Kong, these averted cases, when combined with more than 2,500 projected averted cases of otitis media, represent a HK$35 million (US$4.5 million) reduction in direct medical costs.[4]

In addition, the data suggest that routine use of the vaccine in young children could help prevent approximately twice as many IPD cases in unvaccinated adults (919 cases in Hong Kong and 653 cases in Singapore), a phenomenon known as indirect effect or "herd" immunity[4],[5]. Importantly, both studies conclude that routine use of PCV7 can help substantially reduce the economic burden on health care systems[4],[5].

Other data presented at ISPPD confirm that the pneumococcal disease burden is high across Asian countries, with the reported incidence of IPD among children younger than five years of age ranging from 30.9 cases per 100,000 in Japan to 276 cases per 100,000 in Bangladesh[4]. Importantly, the data also highlight that vaccine intervention could help prevent between 57 percent and 91 percent of IPD cases in children younger than two years of age in Asia[1].

[1] Garcia C, Center K and Herrera G. Burden of pneumococcal disease (PD) in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region: importance of inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into national immunization programs (NIPs). Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

[2] Data on file, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.

[3] World Health Organization. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for childhood immunization, March 2007- WHO position paper. Wkly Epidemiol Record 2007;12: 93-104.

[4] Lee K, Rinaldi F, Lee V, et al. Economic evaluation of universal infant vaccination with 7vPCV in Hong Kong. Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

[5] Rinaldi F and Chong C. Predicted impact of a universal infant 7vPCV vaccination program in Singapore. Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

Media Contact: Wendy Qin +62 2 8424 8522 +62 404 101 742
SOURCE: Wyeth

Health/Medical: Data highlights the potential of the pneumococcal vaccination

Data highlights the potential of the pneumococcal vaccination against leading vaccine-preventable cause of childhood death
Health outcomes analysis predicts health and eEconomic benefits of routine pneumococcal vaccine use in Asian countries

Jakarta - /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ - Data from three studies conducted in Asia and presented last week indicate that routine childhood vaccination with a pneumococcal vaccine could help prevent a considerable proportion of this disease in vaccinated children, as well as unvaccinated adults.

The data also suggested that the vaccine is a highly cost-effective public health intervention, based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The data were presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD) in Reykjavik, Iceland.

"While there is a compelling body of evidence demonstrating the public health and economic impact of routine childhood vaccination in a number of countries, we now have data from Asia that convincingly support these benefits regionally," says Kenneth K.C. Lee, Ph.D., professor and associate director of External Affairs, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China.

"By routinely vaccinating our children against pneumococcal disease, we have the ability to help protect the broader community unvaccinated children, parents and grandparents and, with evidence that routine vaccination represents a sound economic investment, there is no reason to delay action to help save lives now."

Specifically, data from Hong Kong and Singapore project that routine use of the pneumococcal vaccine over a 10-year period could prevent an estimated 524 cases and 290 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), respectively, among the birth cohort.[1],[2]

In Hong Kong, these averted cases, when combined with more than 2,500 projected averted cases of otitis media, represent a HK$35 million (US$4.5 million) reduction in direct medical costs.[1] In addition, the data suggest that routine use of the vaccine in young children could help prevent approximately twice as many IPD cases in unvaccinated adults (919 cases in Hong Kong and 653 cases in Singapore), a phenomenon known as indirect effect or "herd" immunity.[1],[2]

Importantly, both studies conclude that routine use of vaccination can help substantially reduce the economic burden on health care systems.[1],[2] Other data presented at ISPPD confirm that the pneumococcal disease burden is high across Asian countries, with the reported incidence of IPD among children younger than five years of age ranging from 30.9 cases per 100,000 in Japan to 276 cases per 100,000 in Bangladesh.[3]

Importantly, the data also highlight that the pneumococcal vaccine could help prevent between 57 per cent and 91 per cent of IPD cases in children younger than two years of age in Asia.[3]

Study Notes

The Hong Kong study utilized an economic model to simulate the expected health outcomes resulting from routine pneumococcal vaccination of a birth cohort of 57,100 children over a 10-year horizon.[1] Local direct costs associated with the treatment of pneumococcal disease were obtained from hospital case records and the Hong Kong Hospital Authority.[1]

Outpatient treatment costs were estimated following interviews with 30 local general practitioners from different regions.[1]

The reduction in adult IPD cases and associated cost avoidance due to "herd" protection was estimated in line with published rates.[1] The analysis found that, from a payer perspective, universal pneumococcal vaccination was estimated to have an incremental cost per life year gained of HK$44,644 (US$5,718).[1]

The Singapore study reviewed hospital records from pediatric patients admitted to the KK Women's and Children's Hospital from January 1997 to December 2005 to determine the number of hospitalizations due to pneumococcal disease and costs associated with patient treatment.[2]

These data were used to populate an economic model to simulate the impact of a universal vaccination program in Singapore.[2] From a payer perspective, the program was estimated to have an incremental cost per life year gained of SGD$9,449-SGD$27,240 (US$6,992-$20,157).[2]

The regional analysis reviewed pneumococcal disease data in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and estimated the potential impact of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the
investigational 10- and 13-valent vaccines.[3] Data were identified searching the OVID database (1997-2007) and country and World Health Organization (WHO) Web sites.[4] Serotype distribution varied by age, geography and pneumococcal disease type.[4]

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) is available in Indonesia in the private market since 2006 and listed as a
recommended schedule for infant and children under 5 years old by Indonesia Pediatric Society (IDAI).

REFERENCES:

[1] Lee K, Rinaldi F, Lee V, et al. Economic evaluation of universal infant vaccination with 7vPCV in Hong Kong. Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

[2] Rinaldi F and Chong C. Predicted impact of a universal infant 7vPCV vaccination program in Singapore. Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

[3] Garcia C, Center K and Herrera G. Burden of pneumococcal disease (PD) in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region: importance of inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into national immunization programs (NIPs). Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

[4] World Health Organization. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for childhood immunization, March 2007- WHO position paper. Wkly Epidemiol Record 2007;12: 93-104.

Media Contact: Wendy Qin +62 2 8424 8522 +62 404 101 742
SOURCE: Wyeth

Wyeth to Expand State-of-the-Art Nutritional Manufacturing Facility in Singapore

Madison, N.J. and Tuas (ANTARA/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) announced today it will invest $96 million (SGD $134 million) to expand its existing nutritional manufacturing facility in Tuas, Singapore.

The expansion was officially announced during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site attended by Company officials and representatives from the Singapore Economic Development Board, which is partnering with Wyeth to support the successful completion of the project.

"This investment reflects Wyeth's 90-year heritage of scientific innovation and commitment to pediatric nutrition," says Mark Larsen, President, Asia Pacific and Nutritionals, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. "A key element of our Company's mission is ensuring that infants and children have access to the best and highest-quality products. This site will help us to continue to achieve that objective."

The state-of-the-art facility, utilizing the strictest operational and quality standards, will produce key brands of Wyeth nutritional products for infants and toddlers, including formula and milk products sold as Progress and Promise. The expansion will increase the plant's capacity by 50 percent, enabling the facility to increase its supply to the Singapore market, as well as manufacturing additional product for export to other key markets throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Expansion at the Tuas site is the final phase of a $500 million capital improvement project in the Asia Pacific region, which includes previously announced investments to Wyeth's global nutritional manufacturing and supply operations in China and the Philippines.

Ms. Aw Kah Peng, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board, said the Government was pleased with the announcement of yet another significant investment in Singapore.

"The Economic Development Board is committed to ensuring the ongoing success of Singapore by maintaining a pro-business environment that facilitates multi-national companies' global expansion. This multi-million dollar capital intensive project provides further testament of Singapore's strategic position as key partner to leverage opportunities in expanding Asian market. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Wyeth."

About Wyeth Nutritionals Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Wyeth Nutritionals Singapore Pte. Ltd. currently operates a nutritional manufacturing plant in Tuas. The facility is used for the manufacture and packaging of infant formula and toddler nutritional powders. These powders are distributed to Wyeth markets in the Asia Pacific region.

About Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has leading products in the areas of women's health care, infectious disease, gastrointestinal health, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products.

Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of, and expense associated with, research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our products, including with respect to our pipeline products; government cost-containment initiatives; restrictions on third-party payments for our products; substantial competition in our industry, including from branded and generic products; data generated on our products; the importance of strong performance from our principal products and our anticipated new product introductions; the highly regulated nature of our business; product liability, intellectual property and other litigation risks and environmental liabilities; uncertainty regarding our intellectual property rights and those of others; difficulties associated with, and regulatory compliance with respect to, manufacturing of our products; risks associated with our strategic relationships; economic conditions including interest and currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; trade buying patterns; the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance; risks and uncertainties associated with global operations and sales; and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption "Item 1A, RISK FACTORS." The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these risk factors. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

For more information, visit www.Wyeth.com

SOURCE Wyeth

CONTACT: Media, Rohaya Mamat, Wyeth, Singapore,
Cell, +60 12488-0110,
Office, +603 7953-2238,

or Kevin Wiggins, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals,
+01 484 865-5158;

or Investors, Justin Victoria, Wyeth,
+01 973 660-5340

Web site: http://www.wyeth.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Wyeth to invest $280 million to build state-of-the-art facility

Madison, New Jersey and Suzhou (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) announced today that it is investing $280 million to build a state-of-the-art nutritional manufacturing facility in Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, China.

The new facility will primarily produce infant formula milk powder and other nutritional products. When completed, the site will be one of the world's largest nutritional manufacturing facilities.

"This investment reflects Wyeth's long-term commitment to pediatric nutrition, as well as the recognition that China is now the fastest-growing market for Wyeth's worldwide nutritional business. When completed, this facility will enable us to meet the growing demand for nutritional products in the Chinese market," said Robert Essner, Wyeth's Chairman of the Board.

"A key element of our Company's mission is ensuring that infants and children have access to the best and highest-quality products. This site will help us achieve this objective."

The new facility will become part of Wyeth's global nutritional manufacturing and supply network and will feature state-of-the-art technology for manufacturing milk powder for infants and young children.

Construction at the site started this month, and the plant is scheduled to be operational by late 2010. At full operation, the plant is expected to employ about 500 employees. Products made at this facility will primarily supply the local market.

About Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), has leading products in the areas of women's health care, infectious disease, gastrointestinal health, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products.

Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

These risks and uncertainties include the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of, and expense associated with, research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our products, including with respect to our pipeline products; government cost-containment initiatives; restrictions on third-party payments for our products; substantial competition in our industry, including from branded and generic products; data generated on our products; the importance of strong performance from our principal products and our anticipated new product introductions; the highly regulated nature of our business; product liability, intellectual property and other litigation risks and environmental liabilities; uncertainty regarding our intellectual property rights and those of others; difficulties associated with, and regulatory compliance with respect to, manufacturing of our products; risks associated with our strategic relationships; economic conditions including interest and currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; trade buying patterns; the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance; risks and uncertainties associated with global operations and sales; and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption "Item 1A, RISK FACTORS."

The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these risk factors. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
For more information, visit www.Wyeth.com

SOURCE: Wyeth
CONTACT: Media Contacts: Qing Xi of Wyeth China,
+021-5252-4633;
or Kylie Park of Wyeth Nutritionals, +1-61-2-8850-8268;
or Kevin Wiggins of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals,
+01-(484)-865-5158;
or Investor Contact: Justin Victoria or Wyeth,
+1-973-660-5340
Web site: http://www.wyeth.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Wyeth to Invest $280 Million to Build State-of-the-Art Nutritional Manufacturing Facility in China

Madison, N.J. and Suzhou (ANTARA/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) announced today that it is investing $280 million to build a state-of-the-art nutritional manufacturing facility in Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, China. The new facility will primarily produce infant formula milk powder and other nutritional products. When completed, the site will be one of the world's largest nutritional manufacturing facilities.

"This investment reflects Wyeth's long-term commitment to pediatric nutrition, as well as the recognition that China is now the fastest-growing market for Wyeth's worldwide nutritional business. When completed, this facility will enable us to meet the growing demand for nutritional products in the Chinese market," said Robert Essner, Wyeth's Chairman of the Board. "A key element of our Company's mission is ensuring that infants and children have access to the best and highest-quality products. This site will help us achieve this objective."

The new facility will become part of Wyeth's global nutritional manufacturing and supply network and will feature state-of-the-art technology for manufacturing milk powder for infants and young children.

Construction at the site started this month, and the plant is scheduled to be operational by late 2010. At full operation, the plant is expected to employ about 500 employees. Products made at this facility will primarily supply the local market.

About Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), has leading products in the areas of women's health care, infectious disease, gastrointestinal health, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products.

Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of, and expense associated with, research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our products, including with respect to our pipeline products; government cost-containment initiatives; restrictions on third-party payments for our products; substantial competition in our industry, including from branded and generic products; data generated on our products; the importance of strong performance from our principal products and our anticipated new product introductions; the highly regulated nature of our business; product liability, intellectual property and other litigation risks and environmental liabilities; uncertainty regarding our intellectual property rights and those of others; difficulties associated with, and regulatory compliance with respect to, manufacturing of our products; risks associated with our strategic relationships; economic conditions including interest and currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; trade buying patterns; the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance; risks and uncertainties associated with global operations and sales; and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K, particularly the discussion under the caption "Item 1A, RISK FACTORS." The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these risk factors. We assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

For more information, visit www.Wyeth.com

SOURCE Wyeth

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Qing Xi of Wyeth China,
+021-5252-4633; or
Kylie Park of Wyeth Nutritionals,
+1-61-2-8850-8268;
or Kevin Wiggins of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals,
+01-(484)-865-5158; or
Investor Contact: Justin Victoria or Wyeth,
+1-973-660-5340

Web site: http://www.wyeth.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS