Replies to post #248239 on Biotech Values

[dewophile]

I didn't realize that the pfizer and merck vaccines have a bunch of non-overlapping serotype coverage. Per the PR MRK's covers 8 serotypes that are unique, so that means prevnar 20 has at least 7 serotypes that MRK's doesn't contain
What I don't know is which vaccine provides better coverage overall, and you have to factor in the fact that there is selective pressure for pneumonia from serotypes that aren't covered currently so the coverage is likely to evolve over time actually

[DewDiligence]

MRK’s V116 (adult pneumococcal vaccine) has 6/17/24 PDUFA date—(with FDA priority review):

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231219406441/en

V116 is 21-valent—i.e. it contains 13 of the 20 serotypes in PFE’s Prevnar-20 and 8 new serotypes. By simple arithmetic, V116 lacks 7 of the serotypes in Prevnar-20, but MRK contends that those 7 serotypes are less influential than the 8 new serotypes.

PFE currently has a >90% share of the adult market for pneumococcal vaccines, but V116 will presumably get MRK back in the game. See #msg-172452293 and #msg-166441188 for related info.

Note: V116 is a distinct product from MRK’s Vaxneuvance (a/k/a V114).