Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

What makes a meningitis B vaccine especially challenging (author is head of vaccines at NVS):

http://the-scientist.com/2012/09/17/opinion-eliminating-meningitis/

The capsular polysaccharide of MenB cannot be used to create a universal vaccine because it has a chemical composition identical to a polysaccharide present in our body (polysialic acid), and is therefore not recognized as foreign by our immune system. MenB is the final frontier of meningococcal meningitis prevention.

To overcome this hurdle, Novartis researchers are using reverse vaccinology to develop our MenB candidate vaccine, Bexsero. We began exploring this technology in the late 1990s, after Craig Venter sequenced the first bacterial genome. We then began working with Venter to develop the process, which involves decoding the genetic makeup of a bacterium to predict the antigens that are likely to be on the surface of the bacteria. This approach provides instant access to entire antigen repertoire and allows fast identification even of those antigens that would be difficult or impossible by the conventional methods involving the time-consuming and expensive processes of growing the bacteria in culture and purifying their components. In the case of MenB, however, one of the antigens discovered by us was also identified by conventional approaches by scientists at Pfizer, and they are also using it to develop a MenB vaccine.

…Our MenB candidate vaccine was submitted for regulatory approval in Europe in December 2010, and Pfizer’s vaccine candidate continues to be vetted for safety and efficacy. I remain confident that in the future, we can eradicate meningococcal disease, including the elusive MenB, on a global level.

Note: NVS’ Bexsero was formerly known as 4MenB.