Japanese launch of ActHIB delayed
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Manufacturing issues have delayed the Japanese launch of Sanofi Pasteur-Daiichi Sankyo Vaccines' paediatric meningitis vaccine ActHIB. The Haemophilus influenzae type b prophylactic vaccine was approved back in January 2007 and was expected to reach the market this summer. However, batch production to a standard required for the Japanese market has taken longer than expected, the Japanese joint venture said. A December launch following the import of an increased quantity from Sanofi Pasteur in France is now planned, although a final date has not been fixed. Daiichi Sankyo will distribute the product, which is not currently eligible for reimbursement under Japan's national insurance system.