North American Vaccine Continues Certiva(TM) Product Launch
Company Commences Sales Through CDC Contract and Receives Assurances
From Majority of States on Availability of Certiva(TM)
COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Vaccine, Inc. (Amex: NVX) announced today that it made initial sales of Certiva(TM) to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under the Company's contract with CDC, Certiva(TM) is now available to physicians and public clinics under government vaccine programs, including the Vaccines for Children program. In addition, the Company has received assurances from a majority of states that Certiva(TM) will soon be available for use under state and local government vaccine programs. Certiva(TM) is the Company's combined diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.
This development follows the Company's announcement of last week that the Company had made initial sales of Certiva(TM) to Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott") for distribution to private physicians and the managed care markets in the United States.
"Today's announcement completes North American Vaccine's entry into both the public and private sectors of this important pediatric vaccine market," stated Randal Chase, Ph.D., CEO and President of North American Vaccine. "With contracts in place with the CDC, commitments from state health administrators on making Certiva(TM) widely available, and Ross Products actively promoting Certiva(TM) to private physicians and the managed care markets, this vaccine is well positioned for market acceptance. We certainly anticipate that physicians and others who use Certiva(TM) will be favorably impressed with the product and North American Vaccine."
Stephen N. Keith, MD, MSPH, Vice President - Marketing and Sales of North American Vaccine commented that "Certiva(TM) represents a significant and important alternative for physicians and clinics who receive childhood vaccines under state and Federal government programs. We look forward to increasing our participation in these programs in the near future."
In July 1998, the Company announced that it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval to manufacture and market Certiva(TM). The FDA approval of Certiva(TM) established North American Vaccine as the first independent vaccine manufacturer to clear the many hurdles required to enter the U.S. pediatric vaccine market in more than a decade, and one of only a handful of FDA approved vaccine manufacturers for U.S. infants and children. Moreover, North American Vaccine becomes the first and only U.S.-based manufacturer of the acellular pertussis component used in combined DTaP vaccines.
In the United States, Certiva(TM) is indicated for the active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) in infants and children six weeks up to seven years of age. Under current immunization policies, it is recommended that children in the United States receive four doses of a combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine during the first two years of life with a fifth dose administered prior to entering grade school. The current U.S. market for combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines is estimated at between $250-$300 million per year. Since 1997, acellular pertussis vaccines have been preferred for all doses in the pediatric immunization schedule recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
North American Vaccine, Inc., is engaged in the research, development and production of vaccines for the prevention of human infectious diseases. North American Vaccine news releases are available on the company's web site at nava.com. For further information contact: Stephen Keith, MD, MSPH, Vice President-Marketing & Sales, North American Vaccine, 10150 Old Columbia Road, Columbia, Maryland 21046, telephone 410-309-7100. |
