MSD's adult-specific 21-valent protein-conjugated vaccine Capvaxive was granted marketing authorization in Korea by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and has emerged as a new competitor in the domestic adult pneumococcal vaccine market.

With Prevenar 20 now launched in the market previously contested by Prevenar 13 and Vaxneuvance, Capvaxive is expected to target the market based on its unique selling point as an adult-specific vaccine with the broadest serotype coverage.

Capvaxive is the first adult-specific vaccine designed to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in adults. Unlike existing PCV vaccines targeting both children and adults, it covers a total of 21 serotypes, including 8 unique serotypes, reflecting the epidemiological characteristics of the adult population.

This covers the serotypes responsible for 85% of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults aged 65 and older (based on U.S. data), and is expected to fill a prevention gap in the rapidly aging Korean market.

Capvaxive’s influence has been growing steadily in global markets where it has already received approval. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Capvaxive in June 2024, and it is being quickly introduced on-site..

Based on MSD's announced earnings for this year, Capvaxive recorded USD 107 million in Q1 and USD 129 million in Q2, totaling USD 236 million (KRW 328.2 billion) in sales in the first half of the year.

Considering it has been about a year since its full launch, its sales are expected to continue to grow.

According to industry sources, MSD is expected to launch Capvaxive in the first half of next year. Considering how Vaxneuvance received approval in the second half of 2023 and launched in April the following year, its launch in Q1 is likely..

In this case, the adult pneumococcal market is also expected to undergo restructuring. Currently, the vaccinations available in Koera for adults include Prodiax 23 (PPSV23), Prevenar 13 (PCV13), Vaxneuvance (PCV15), and Prevenar 20 (PCV20).

As Prodiax 23 is included in the National Immunization Program, effectively, three vaccines are competing in the non-reimbursement market.
However, as Prevenar 20 and Capvaxive are the respective follow-up vaccines to Prevenar 13 and Vaxneuvance, the competitive landscape is expected to center on the competition between the two.

As Chong Kun Dang partnered with Pfizer to distribute Prevenar 20 following Prevnar 13, the industry anticipates that Boryung Biopharma, which handles sales of Vaxneuvance, will distribute for Capvaxive in terms of continuity.

Amid rising demand for preventive vaccines among the elderly and high-risk groups, attention is focused on whether the domestic introduction of Capvaxive will bring changes to future vaccine policies, such as Korea’s National Immunization Program (NIP), and market strategies.

A vaccine industry insider explained, “With the balance shifting this year from Prevenar 13 to Prevenar 20 for adult pneumococcal vaccines, and now another vaccine with even more serotypes emerging, marketing competition to differentiate their product amongst the wide range of choices is set to intensify.”