First results for meningitis B vaccine

Published: 2010-10-19

Meningitis B is a world-wide infection that most severely affects babies and young children, often killing them within 48 hours of the first symptoms. “The challenge with MenB is that there are thousands of circulating strains, so developing a broadly protective vaccine has been difficult”, said Mr Andrin Oswald, Head of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Division.

Three batches of 4CMenB vaccine produced consistent immune responses, and responses to the routine infant vaccines were not affected, with the exception of a slightly diminished response for polio. Further studies will report soon and Novartis hopes to apply to the EU for marketing authorisation by the end of the year.

MenB causes up to 80% of meningococcal disease in Europe and no vaccines are available yet. The new vaccine will join Menjugate, a meningococcal C conjugate vaccine approved outside the US since 2000.

www.novartis.com