An experimental meningococcal vaccine that protects against five strains of the bacteria succeeded in a Phase 3 clinical trial, Pfizer said Thursday, potentially offering an alternative to existing shots that cover fewer variants and require more doses.
By the end of the year, the drugmaker plans to ask the Food and Drug Administration to approve the shot, which combines components of two Pfizer protein-based vaccines, Nimenrix and Trumenba. An approval would help Pfizer expand its vaccine business, which is led by the COVID-19 shot Comirnaty and the pneumococcal vaccines Prevnar 13 and 20.
