- Menveo licensed in 11 to 55 year olds to help protect against potentially deadly
meningitis and
sepsis caused by four common
vaccine-preventable serogroups - Meningococcal disease causes approximately 50,000 deaths globally each year, many of which could be prevented through
vaccines - Novartis plans to seek licensure of Menveo in infants and children two to 10 years of age
Novartis Pharmaceutical Canada Inc. announced that Menveo (Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Oligosaccharide CRM197 Conjugate Vaccine), a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine was approved by Health Canada for active immunization of adolescents (11 to 18 years of age) and adults (19 to 55 years of age) to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135.
"Meningococcal disease is particularly distressing because it can rapidly kill or debilitate previously healthy adolescents. Even with early and appropriate treatments, patients can die from meningococcal disease, often within 24 to 48 hours of onset of symptoms. This is why we welcome this new vaccinethat can prevent meningococcal disease caused by all four vaccine-preventable serogroups." says Kathryn Blain, founder and chair of the Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada (www.meningitis.ca).
"Menveo is a welcome addition to our armamentarium in preventing this deadly disease. In the head-to-head study versus Menactra comparing the rate of protection for both vaccines that studied adolescents and adults. Menveo demonstrated superiority for A, Y and W-135 serotypes. These results are theoretically significant given we know that circulating antibodies are necessary for protection. However, the clinical significance is not yet known" says Jay Keystone, MD, FRCPC, Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and Senior Staff Physician, Toronto General Hospital.