A multi-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB): the clinical development program

Drugs. 2014 Jan;74(1):15-30. doi: 10.1007/s40265-013-0155-7.

Abstract

Recently approved in Europe and Australia, the multi-component meningococcal B vaccine, 4CMenB (Bexsero®, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics), contains three surface-exposed recombinant proteins (fHbp, NadA, and NHBA) and New Zealand strain outer membrane vesicles (NZ OMV) with PorA 1.4 antigenicity. This comprehensive review of the 4CMenB clinical development program covers pivotal phase I/IIb/III studies in over 7,000 adults, adolescents, and infants. The immunological correlate for clinical protection used was human complement-mediated serum bactericidal activity titers ≥4 or 5 against indicator strains for individual antigens. Based on achievement of protective titers, a four-dose schedule (three primary doses and one booster dose) for infants and a two-dose schedule for adolescents provided the best results. Observed increases in injection site pain/tenderness and fever in infants, and injection site pain, malaise, and headache in adolescents compared with routine vaccines, were mostly mild to moderate; frequencies of rare events (Kawasaki disease, juvenile arthritis) were not significantly different from non-vaccinated individuals. 4CMenB is conservatively estimated to provide 66-91 % coverage against meningococcal serogroup B strains worldwide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Humans
  • Meningococcal Infections / immunology
  • Meningococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • 4CMenB vaccine
  • Meningococcal Vaccines