Novartis submits meningococcal B vaccine for review

Novartis has announced the submission of a new vaccine for diseases caused by meningococcal serogroup B bacteria in Europe.

The company has provided positive data from a number of clinical trials to support the European Medicines Agency marketing authorisation application for Bexsero, which was known during development as 4CMenB.

It represents the world's first broad-coverage vaccine treatment for the condition and utilises a multi-component approach to act against a diverse range of meningococcal B strains.

This regulatory submission is intended to form the basis of further applications for approval in other global territories.

Andrin Oswald, head of Novartis' vaccines and diagnostics division, said: "Novartis is committed to providing vaccines to protect people of all ages, including infants, and against all causes of meningococcal disease."

Earlier this month, the company published positive new trial data for INC424, a developmental therapy for myelofibrosis.