New phase III data presented by Novartis Vaccines indicate that the investigational Multicomponent Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine (4CMenB) has the potential to be the first broad-coverage vaccine against the dynamic and deadly meningococcal B (MenB) disease. The data were presented at the International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference (IPNC) in Banff, Canada.

This trial involving more than 3,600 infants has met its primary end points. Results show that the large majority of those vaccinated with 4CMenB at the same time as other routine vaccines achieved a robust immune response against all vaccine MenB antigens. Additionally, results show that 4CMenB had an acceptable tolerability profile when co-administered with other routine infant vaccines, which supports potential use of the vaccine in the first year of life, when the medical need is greatest.

These new phase III data are part of a comprehensive clinical program led by Novartis to show that 4CMenB can be used across all age groups and can be either co-administered with other routine vaccines or as part of a flexible vaccination schedule. Additional phase III trial results from ongoing studies are expected this autumn. The comprehensive data of more than 7,500 subjects is expected to be the basis for the planned filing in the EU by year end.

MenB is a sudden, aggressive illness that can lead to death within 24-48 hours of the first symptoms. The disease poses a significant burden to people around the world, especially infants, who are at highest risk for infection. MenB causes up to 80 per cent of meningococcal disease cases in Europe, up to 55 per cent of cases in Canada and 30 per cent of cases in the US. MenB strains circulate worldwide, can mutate and may result in long-term regional outbreaks.

"The challenge with MenB is that there are thousands of circulating strains and developing a broadly protective vaccine has, until now, been difficult," said Andrin Oswald, Head of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Division. "These critical data highlight the promise of our innovative candidate 4CMenB vaccine in addressing the unmet public health need of MenB, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis for which there is no readily available global vaccine."

The Novartis 4CMenB vaccine was developed using a pioneering approach known as "reverse vaccinology." In contrast to conventional methods of producing vaccines, reverse vaccinology decodes the genetic makeup of MenB and finds the specific components that most typically cause infection. 4CMenB targets multiple components and is designed to provide an optimal immune response against the majority of MenB strains, while at the same time addressing the constantly changing nature of the bacteria.

"Meningitis B can be devastating for affected families and is a major concern for paediatricians who care for children with this serious illness. The disease can strike healthy children without warning and, in some countries, is the leading infectious cause of death in early life," said Andrew Pollard FRCPCH PhD, Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity at the University of Oxford. "Many cases of meningitis are prevented today by the vaccines we give to our children, but the more complex meningitis B remains as a major threat to public health. The encouraging data presented on 4CMenB indicate the potential for additional protection to be provided by this new vaccine."

Results from the clinical phase III trial show that a majority of infants vaccinated with 4CMenB concomitantly with other routine vaccines achieved a robust immune response against the three vaccine MenB antigens. The vaccine was administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. One month after the third 4CMenB dose, the percentage of subjects achieving serum bactericidal antibodies using human complement (hSBA) ?1:5 against three MenB strains (5/99, NZ98/254 and H44/76) were 100 per cent, 84 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively. All three lots of investigational 4CMenB showed highly consistent immune responses. In addition, responses to routine infant vaccine antigens when co-administered with 4CMenB were similar with the exception of a slightly diminished polio 2 response when compared to routine vaccine administration alone.

4CMenB also had an acceptable tolerability profile when co-administered with other routine infant vaccines. Typical vaccine associated events solicited for 7 days after each vaccination showed a similar incidence (83 per cent after routine vaccine alone compared to 87 per cent following routine vaccine co-administered with 4CMenB). The events were similar in nature and quality (mostly injection site reactions and systemic reactions such as sleepiness, changed eating habits, irritability, unusual crying and rash, or gastrointestinal events). Events in both groups were mostly mild or moderate reactions and transient, following a typical pattern of routine vaccinations.

Fever, which is a common event following routine childhood immunizations, was observed more frequently in infants who received the 4CMenB vaccine together with routine infant vaccines compared to infants receiving routine vaccines alone. Fever was generally low-grade, mild and of short duration, with 95 per cent of cases resolving within 24-48 hours. These preliminary data findings will complement additional safety data that Novartis is evaluating as part of its complete phase III programme.

Incidence of serious adverse events in infants who received 4CMenB with routine vaccines was comparable to those who received routine infant vaccines alone and those who received meningococcal C conjugate vaccine with routine infant vaccines. In the study, less than one per cent of infants discontinued the trial due to reactogenicity following vaccination with no difference between groups.

This phase III, randomized, controlled, multi-center study involved 3,630 healthy infants in trial sites throughout Europe. The primary endpoints of the study were to determine the consistency of immune response to three lots of 4CMenB, and assess the immunogenicity and tolerability of three doses of 4CMenB (three lots combined) given concomitantly with routine infant vaccines.

The trial included an open-label immunogenicity and tolerability subset in which participants were randomized to receive one of three lots of 4CMenB vaccine with routine infant vaccines, or routine vaccines alone. Also included was an observer-blind safety subset in which participants were randomized to receive 4CMenB vaccine or meningococcal C conjugate vaccine with routine vaccines, or routine vaccines alone. Immunizations were administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Primary immunogenicity was based on a serum bactericidal assay using human complement (hSBA) against three serogroup B strains (5/99, NZ98/254 and H44/76) 30 days after the final study vaccination. Injection site and systemic reactions were recorded for seven days post-vaccination, and adverse events were evaluated throughout the study.

The entire 4CMenB Clinical programme consists of clinical trials studying the immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of the investigational vaccine in four major age groups, including infants, toddlers, adolescents and adults worldwide. Results from a phase II study in adults showed that 4CMenB generated an immune response and was generally well tolerated.

In addition, studies are under way to confirm the expected coverage of the broad-based vaccine against MenB strains circulating in several countries. The first results are expected prior to filing.

Novartis Vaccines is a global leader in providing vaccines to protect against deadly meningococcal disease. Through industry-leading scientific expertise, the company is focused on extending critical meningococcal vaccines research.