Novartis acquires new vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis

Novartis has revealed it has acquired a new vaccine for the virus that causes Japanese encephalitis, a potentially deadly disease that affects the membranes surrounding the brain.

The IC51 vaccine was developed by Intercell, who have sold Novartis the rights for the marketing of the drug in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. As part of the agreement, Novartis will make an equity investment of 30 million euros (20.48 pounds) into Intercell, which will give the Swiss pharmaceutical company preference for the rights of some existing Intercell products.

IC51 – a second generation vaccine – was designed to be a safer product but no less effective than the existing Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which is unlicensed in the UK and can have some severe side effects.

Dr Jorg Reinhardt, chief executive officer of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, commented: “Novartis Vaccines is committed to disease prevention and strengthening its leadership position in human vaccines.

“No effective treatment is currently approved to prevent the debilitating effects of Japanese encephalitis, leaving an urgent need for new vaccines such as IC51.”

“This agreement reinforces our commitment to develop innovative vaccines through our own development activities as well as strategic partnerships,” he concluded.

Japanese encephalitis is most prevalent in south east Asia and the far east. Although some people may contract the virus, it may not necessarily make them very ill, other than for a headache and other mild symptoms. However, should encephalitis occur, the consequences are potentially “grave”, according to the University of Kentucky.

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