27 January 2020 - - US-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has launched its Vaccines Division's Centers of Excellence Network, a global programme of collaborations with academic institutions to conduct real-world epidemiologic research to accurately identify and measure the burden of specific vaccine-preventable diseases and potentially evaluate vaccine effectiveness affecting adults, the company said.

Pfizer Vaccines has designated the University of Louisville as its first Center of Excellence with a second global center anticipated in the first half of 2020.

As Pfizer's first Center of Excellence site, the University of Louisville will initially conduct two separate, large population-based epidemiological studies in adults: a one-year study of the incidence of infectious diarrhea with funding provided by Pfizer up to USD 6.5m and a one-year study of the incidence of pneumonia with funding provided by Pfizer up to USD 4.5m.

Pfizer Vaccines is currently planning to establish a few additional Centers of Excellence for epidemiological research strategically located around the world in the coming years.