Vaxcyte Shares Surge as Pneumococcal Vaccine Succeeds in Late-stage Trial

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5th Oct, 2026 12:00 AM
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Vaxcyte Shares Surge as Pneumococcal Vaccine Succeeds in Late-stage Trial

Oct 5 (Reuters) - Vaxcyte said on Monday its experimental pneumococcal vaccine generated immune responses comparable to rival ⁠vaccines in a late-stage study, sending its shares up 57% in morning trading.

Here are key details:

• Pneumococcal disease ⁠is caused by bacteria that can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections, with older ⁠adults particularly at risk

• The vaccine, ‌VAX-31, produced immune responses that were at least comparable to Pfizer's Prevnar 20 and Merck's Capvaxive against the 28 bacterial strains, or serotypes, shared with one or both rival vaccines

Article Key Points
  • VAX-31 immune responses ≥ comparator vaccines vs 28 shared pneumococcal serotypes.
  • Stronger responses vs 3 VAX-31-unique serotypes + 20B.
  • Safety profile consistent across age groups; no vaccine-related serious AEs.
  • Met benchmark for all 20 serotypes vs Prevnar 20; 17/19 vs Capvaxive.
  • Two late-stage trials due 1H 2027; US filing planned 1H 2028.
Dive Deeper
How do pneumococcal serotype responses predict clinical protection?
Which adult groups benefit most from higher-valency pneumococcal vaccines?
How do immunogenicity endpoints correlate with invasive disease prevention?

• It also produced stronger immune responses against three strains unique to ‌VAX-31 and against strain 20B, the company said

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• The vaccine had ​a consistent ‌safety profile across the age groups ‌studied, with no serious adverse events considered related to the vaccines

• Jefferies analyst Roger Song said the ⁠results hit the "blue-sky" case, with VAX-31 poised ‌to take significant share ⁠of the $3 billion to $6 billion-plus ​adult vaccine market

• In separate comparisons, ‌VAX-31 met the study's benchmark for all 20 strains it shares with Prevnar 20 and for 17 of 19 shared with Capvaxive

• For the other two strains ​shared with Capvaxive, VAX-31 missed the study's stricter ‌benchmark ‌but met a historical threshold

• Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger said VAX-31's miss against ‌Merck's Capvaxive on serotype ​3 reflected a tougher trial standard and was unlikely to have regulatory significance

• Vaxcyte expects results from two other late-stage trials in the first ⁠half of 2027 and plans to submit a US marketing ‌application in the first half of 2028

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing ​by Tasim Zahid and Shreya Biswas)

Dive Deeper
Commonly Asked by HCPs
Q: What safety issues are most important with newer adult pneumococcal vaccines?
A: The main safety considerations for adult pneumococcal vaccines are local and systemic reactogenicity, rare serious adverse events, and tolerability in older or medically complex patients. Most newer conjugate vaccines are evaluated for consistency of adverse-event profiles across age groups, with special attention to fever, injection-site reactions, and any signal for immune-mediated complications.
Read full answer
Q: When might broader-valency pneumococcal vaccines change adult immunization strategy?
A: Broader-valency pneumococcal vaccines may influence adult immunization strategy by increasing serotype coverage and potentially simplifying protection against invasive pneumococcal disease. Ongoing questions for clinicians include how these vaccines fit alongside existing schedules, whether they reduce gaps created by serotype replacement, and how durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness compare with current options.
Read full answer
Q: Which adults should receive pneumococcal vaccination, and how are schedules chosen?
A: Adult pneumococcal vaccination is generally guided by age and risk-based indications, including chronic cardiopulmonary disease, diabetes, smoking, cerebrospinal fluid leak, cochlear implant, asplenia, and immunocompromising conditions. Clinicians usually compare current ACIP-style schedules, prior vaccine history, and the need for conjugate versus polysaccharide coverage when selecting a regimen.
Read full answer
Q: How do conjugate pneumococcal vaccines compare in serotype coverage and immunogenicity?
A: Comparisons among conjugate pneumococcal vaccines usually focus on serotype coverage, immunogenicity, and whether protection is likely to extend to locally important circulating strains. Broader-valency vaccines aim to expand coverage beyond earlier formulations, but clinical interpretation still depends on serotype epidemiology, immune response durability, and how well immunogenicity translates into disease prevention.
Read full answer
Q: How should clinicians approach pneumococcal vaccination in older adults and immunocompromised patients?
A: In older adults and immunocompromised patients, pneumococcal vaccination strategy often emphasizes earlier or broader protection because disease burden and invasive infection risk are higher. Research commonly addresses how age, immune status, prior vaccination, and comorbidities influence vaccine choice, expected immunogenicity, and the need for sequential or catch-up vaccination approaches.
Read full answer
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