Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine moves into final stages of evaluation

15 September 2008

Scientists are moving into the final stages of evaluating a vaccine that could potentially protect against 80% of meningococcal serogroup B strains, audiences at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) annual conference at Warwick University were told today.

The investigational vaccine, in development by pharmaceutical company Novartis Vaccines, has been evaluated by the Health Protection Agency in partnership with the Department of Paediatrics at Oxford University and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

If further trials achieve the expected results, the vaccine could be ready to be considered for inclusion in the childhood immunisation programme within two or three years.

Dr. Jamie Findlow, from the Vaccine Evaluation Unit at the HPA’s North West Regional Laboratory in Manchester, told delegates: “Phases I and II of the clinical trials have been successfully completed, proving that the vaccine is safe and that it stimulates the immune systems of infants when administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

The serogroup B strain accounts for around 90% of the 1,800 cases of meningococcal infection that are recorded in Britain every year and is responsible for approximately 180 deaths annually.

Novartis MenB vaccine is the first vaccine based on recombinant proteins to demonstrate a protective immune response in infants and adults. It contains multiple bacterial surface proteins – or antigens – that are believed to be found in most meningococcal serogroup B strains responsible for the disease globally.

“There is a huge unmet global need for an effective vaccine that prevents deadly meningococcal serogroup B infections,” said Philipp Oster, Medical Director, Global Medical Affairs, Meningococcal B Vaccines, Novartis Vaccines. “We’re excited at the clinical progress we’ve made and the prospect for one vaccine that protects infants and adults worldwide.”

The Health Protection Agency’s North West Regional Laboratory also evaluated the successful meningococcal serogroup C vaccine that has cut meningococcal group C disease by 95% and saved approximately 500 lives since its introduction to the childhood immunisation programme in 1999.

“The meningococcal group C vaccine has been a phenomenal success, so it is very exciting that we are within two or three years of having an effective group B vaccine. Meningococcal serogroup B infection kills approximately one in 10 of the youngsters affected by it each year and 15% of those who survive the disease are left with severe disabilities, so this development will be welcomed by parents everywhere,” Dr. Findlow said.

Ends

Notes to editors

The Health Protection Agency's Annual Conference takes place at the University of Warwick from Monday, 15 September 2008 - Wednesday, 17 September 2008. Further information can be found at the conference website at www.healthprotectionconference.org.uk
Information on meningococcal infection is available on http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1191942172836?p=1191942172836
For further information and support, call the Meningitis Trust’s freephone 24-hour nurse-led information line on 0800-028-18-28 or access http://www.meningitis-trust.org/
The Health Protection 2008 conference press office can be contacted between 9am – 5pm on 024 765 72982; out of hours on 0208 200 4400.

Last reviewed: 15 September 2008