Wyeth CEO shares vision to help make pneumococcal vaccination available to every child in the world

'An important part of realising Wyeth's mission to lead the way to a healthier world is by working to combat the burden of serious diseases and expand access to Wyeth's pnemococcal conjugate vaccine around the world,'

Mr. Essner says.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that pneumococcal disease results in up to 1 million deaths each year in young children worldwide. Furthermore, according to WHO, pneumococcal disease is the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death in children less than five years of age worldwide. The WHO recently recommended priority inclusion of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in national immunization programs worldwide.

Prevenar from Wyeth is the only vaccine currently available to help protect infants and toddlers against invasive pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine serotypes, including meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) and bacteraemia (an infection of the blood).

Addressing a gathering of key opinion leaders, health officials, industry representatives and Wyeth distributors, from the GCC and the region, in Dubai recently, Mr. Essner said: 'Wyeth had expected extensive use of the vaccine in the developed world but there is an even greater need for it in some of the poorest countries in the world.'

On the occasion, sharing his impression of Dubai on his first visit, Mr. Essner said: 'The growth in Dubai is startling and the health facilities are following that trend. The vision, aspiration and leadership that drive Dubai are qualities that drive Wyeth as well and we continue to work to provide the right medication to patients in this region.'

As a leader in the field of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biotechnology products, Wyeth is expected to invest $3.3bn in Research and Development by the end of 2007. At present, Wyeth has 60 drugs at various stages of clinical development across the world.

'The key to the success of the company and what sets us apart is our policy of bringing together vaccines, biotechnology and traditional chemistry to cure diseases,' Mr. Essner said. 'The company has a heritage of being the first in developing and delivering vaccines since its foundation in 1863 and we hope to continue that legacy in the future.'

Wyeth was among the first companies to deliver penicillin during the Second World War and the first to deliver the polio vaccine after the war. A large section of Wyeth's current R&D investment is devoted to looking for the prevention and cure of Alzheimer's Disease, one of the most debilitating diseases in over 60 year olds.

In addition to the vaccine Prevenar, Wyeth also produces Enbrel, a drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, another life-crippling disease. Other fields Wyeth focuses on include women's health care, neuroscience, cardiovascular therapy, infectious disease, haemophilia, immunology and oncology. Wyeth also is a leader in the field of nutritionals.

Accompanying Mr. Essner on his visit were Mr. Ulf Wiinberg, Wyeth President for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Canada and Mr. Rune Bremberg, Group Vice President, Eastern and Central Europe and the Middle East region.