DatamonitorWednesday 30 June 2010, 2:43PM
Media release from Datamonitor
Hedwig Kresse, head of vaccines & infectious diseases at
independent market analyst Datamonitor comments.
"Abbott's decision to sell off the company's flu vaccine business
does not come as a surprise, as the company is a niche player
without critical mass in the increasingly competitive seasonal flu
vaccine market.
"The most attractive selling point is Abbott's established
position in the lucrative Russian influenza vaccine market through
its alliance with Petrovax Pharm, which could gain a potential
buyer easy access to one of the key emerging markets for
vaccines.
"Another interesting proposition is Abbott's cell-based
manufacturing technology; however, the company has lost its initial
advantage in this segment through development delays and the
approval of competitive products in this segment such as Novartis'
Optaflu. Considering the low tolerance of the increasingly
competitive influenza vaccines market for high-priced vaccines,
Datamonitor has general doubts regarding the commercial potential
of cell-based seasonal influenza vaccines.
"The list of potential buyers could include several companies
already established in the flu vaccine space.
"Already successfully marketing its influenza portfolio in several
Asian countries and looking to further increase its emerging market
footprint in vaccines, GSK could seize this opportunity to gain an
entry route to the Russian market.
"In addition, Abbott's late-stage cell-based program may be
interesting for GSK, which is lagging behind other flu vaccine
players with regards to cell-based manufacturing. Another scenario
could see a smaller player such as AstraZeneca/MedImmune combine
Abbott's flu business with their own influenza unit to achieve a
critical mass in the sector, which is dominated by large vaccine
providers."