GSK shares positive results from meningococcal disease vaccine trial

GSK has announced positive results from its vaccine candidate trial for meningococcal, which is a significant cause of meningitis and septicaemia.

The phase 3 trial assessed GSK’s MenABCWY combination vaccine candidate for meningococcal. The vaccine is a five-in-one vaccine for all five Neisseria meningitides serogroups A, B, C, W and Y, and is given in two doses six months apart.

The trial assessed the vaccine’s safety, tolerability and ability to vaccinate (or immunogenicity) in healthy patients aged ten to 25 years of age. It has 11 endpoints, including the non-inferiority of the vaccine for all five serogroups when compared to already licensed meningococcal vaccines, Bexsero and Menveo, in terms of an immune response. All 11 endpoints were met.

There is currently no approved vaccine offering protection against all five serogroups, with two separate vaccines made up of four injections needed to currently protect against the disease.

Tony Wood, chief scientific officer at GSK, commented in the company’s press release: “These statistically significant phase 3 data is a very encouraging step toward reducing the incidence of meningococcal disease. In the US, routine use of a five-in-one meningococcal vaccine with a two-dose regimen in adolescents at 16 to 18 years of age, just before this disease’s incidence peak, could drive significant public health impact. In addition, our five-in-one meningococcal vaccine candidate builds on our global leadership in meningococcal vaccines and commitment to innovation.”

Betsy Goodfellow