SUBSCRIBE Blog with us: BLOGbiotech

Breaking News

• Email
• Print
• Share
• More News

Jul 27 2007, 7:37 AM EST

Wyeth Team Recognized by White House With Prestigious National Medal of Technology for PREVNAR Vaccine

PRNEWSWIRE

MADISON, N.J., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) announced that a team of Wyeth scientists involved in the discovery, development and manufacture of PREVNAR(R), Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein), will be awarded the 2005 National Medal of Technology today by President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony. The National Medal of Technology is the nation's highest honor for technological achievement. PREVNAR is the first and only vaccine available to help protect infants and toddlers against invasive pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine serotypes.

The Medal is given to individuals, teams, and companies for outstanding contributions to the nation's economic, environmental and social well-being, and recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to the United States' standard of living and quality of life through technological innovation. The members of the Wyeth team honored by the White House are Drs. Ronald Eby, Velupillai Puvanesarajah, Dace Madore and Ms. Maya Koster.

"This award is a testament to these outstanding scientists and their colleagues as well as the pioneering science employed by Wyeth in the development of PREVNAR," says Bernard Poussot, President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman, Wyeth. "This honor is also exemplary of the rich talent that is driving leading-edge research at Wyeth that will contribute to the improvement of global public health for years to come."

Pneumococcal disease, a group of illnesses including bacteremia/ sepsis, meningitis, and bacteremic pneumonia, results in up to 1 million deaths each year in young children globally, and is the leading cause of vaccine- preventable death in children younger than five years of age.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in March 2007 its position to support the priority inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in national immunization programs worldwide.

About the National Medal of Technology

The annual National Medal of Technology, bestowed by the President since 1985 as the Nation's highest award for technological innovation, was mandated by Congress in 1980 to recognize the significant contributions that America's leading innovators have made to the Nation's economic strength and standard of living. Further information is available at http://www.technology.gov/medal.

About Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and affects both children and adults. According to the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of death and illness worldwide.

Important Safety Information about PREVNAR

In clinical trials (n=18,168), the most frequently reported adverse events included injection site reactions, fever (greater than or equal to 38 degrees C/100.4 degrees F), irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.

Risks are associated with all vaccines, including PREVNAR. Hypersensitivity to any vaccine component, including diphtheria toxoid, is a contraindication to its use. PREVNAR does not provide 100% protection against vaccine serotypes or protect against nonvaccine serotypes.

PREVNAR has previously been recognized with the American Chemical Society's Heroes of Chemistry Award, the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America's Discoverer's Award and the Prix Galien (Canada).

About Wyeth

Wyeth is one of the world's largest resear

• Email
• Print
• Share
• More News

CAREER CENTER

WEBINARS

PODCASTS

MOST POPULAR