Merck’s pneumococcal vaccine shows superior immunogenicity

Merck announced results from STRIDE-3, a Phase 3 trial evaluating V116, the company’s investigational pneumococcal conjugate vaccine designed to protect adults. The trial evaluated the immunogenicity, tolerability and safety of V116 compared to PCV20 – pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine – in adults who had not previously received a pneumococcal vaccine. In adults 50 years of age and older, V116 elicited non-inferior immune responses compared to PCV20 for all 10 serotypes common to both vaccines. Immune responses elicited by V116 were superior for 10 of 11 serotypes included in V116 but not in PCV20 as measured by OPA GMTs at Day 30 and the proportions of patients with a greater than or equal to four-fold increase in OPA from Day 1 to Day 30. In adults 18 to 49 years of age, V116 elicited non-inferior immune responses vs. adults 50 to 64 years of age. Across both cohorts, V116 had a safety profile comparable to PCV20. Serotypes covered by V116 are responsible for approximately 83% of invasive pneumococcal disease in individuals 65 years of age and older. If approved, V116 would be the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine specifically designed for adults.