GSK's Synflorix approved in Europe

GlaxoSmithKline's Synflorix, a pediatric 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against life-threatening diseases such as meningitis  and bacteremic pneumonia, has been approved in Europe.

The UK drug major said that it has the potential to prevent more  invasive pneumococcal disease than its main rival, Wyeth's 7-valent PCV  Prevnar, by offering coverage against three additional strains,  serotypes 1, 5 and 7F.

The 10 serotypes included in Synflorix are responsible for up to 90% of  all cases of IPD in children younger than five years old in parts of  Europe, said the London-based firm. Meanwhile, the three additional  serotypes (1, 5 and 7F) are highly invasive, increasingly prevalent -  representing 5%-25% of all IPD cases - and are directly associated with  outbreaks and severe illness in young children.