The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Complete Response letter to Novartis on its application for the expanded use of Menveo (Meningococcal [Groups A, C, Y and W-135] Oligosaccharide Diphtheria CRM197 Conjugate Vaccine) in infants and toddlers from 2 months of age. Menveo is already approved for use in individuals 2 to 55 years of age in the US.

Novartis submitted the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Menveo to the FDA in April 2011. The Complete Response letter indicates the FDA has completed the current review cycle and requests answers to additional questions prior to proceeding with further review of the sBLA. Novartis will work with the FDA to address these questions.

As of February, Menveo is registered in more than 50 countries for active immunization to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y. Menveo received the FDA approval for use in adolescents and adults (11 to 55 years of age) in February 2010 and approval for use in children 2 to 10 years of age in January 2011. Since launch, more than 3 million doses of Menveo have been distributed worldwide. Studies are ongoing in infants, toddlers, adolescents and adults.

Menveo is contraindicated in individuals who have experienced a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of Menveo, any component of this vaccine, or any other CRM197, diphtheria toxoid or meningococcal-containing vaccine. Appropriate medical treatment must be available should an acute allergic reaction, including an anaphylactic reaction, occur follow administration of Menveo.

Those vaccinated may develop syncope, sometimes resulting in falling with injury associated with seizure-like movements. Observation for 15 minutes after vaccination is recommended. Patients who are immunocompromised or receiving immunosuppressive therapy may have an inadequate response to vaccination.

Following vaccination with another US-licensed meningococcal quadrivalent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, an evaluation of postmarketing adverse events suggested a potential for an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Data are not available to evaluate the potential risk of GBS following administration of Menveo.

In clinical trials, the most frequently occurring adverse events in subjects 11 to 55 years of age who received Menveo were pain at the injection site, headache, myalgia, malaise, and nausea. The most frequently occurring adverse events in subjects 2-10 years of age who received Menveo were pain at the injection site, erythema, irritability, induration, sleepiness, malaise, and headache. Safety has not been established in pregnant women. Vaccination with Menveo may not protect all individuals.

Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is a division of Novartis, focused on the development of preventive treatments. The division has two businesses: Novartis Vaccines and Novartis Diagnostics. The division's products also include meningococcal, pediatric and travel vaccines. Novartis Diagnostics, the blood testing business, is dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the development of novel blood-screening tools that protect the world's blood supply.

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies and offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products.