Novartis (NVS) recently presented data from some studies, which showed that its pipeline candidate Bexsero vaccine induces robust immune response in infants, toddlers and adolescents suffering from Meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) disease. The vaccine, thus has the potential to provide broad usage. The vaccine is also known as 4CMenB. The data were presented at The European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID).
Data from a pivotal study, which was conducted on more than 1,800 infants showed that treatment with Bexsero resulted in a robust immune response against MenB infections when given alone or in combination with other routine vaccines. The data also showed that the vaccine can be effective in different schedules and it has an acceptable tolerability profile.
Data from other pivotal studies showed that Bexsero provided protective immune response in toddlers when used as a booster and strong immune response in adolescents against MenB.
Bexsero vaccine is under late-stage trials in the US and is already filed in the European Union.
MenB disease is the principal cause of bacterial meningitis for which no vaccine is yet available. Infants are at the greatest risk of being infected with MenB disease, which can make them suffer from permanent brain damage, learning disabilities, hearing loss, and limb loss. The disease progresses very rapidly and can lead to death within 24-48 hours of first symptoms. If Bexsero is approved, it has the potential to provide protection against all causes of MenB disease.
Our Recommendation
Currently, we have a Neutral recommendation on Novartis. The company carries a Zacks #3 Rank (“Hold” rating) in the short run. Though pleased with Novartis’ wide range of products and its efforts to diversify further, as is evident by the acquisition of eye-care company Alcon, we prefer to remain on the sidelines due to the imminent patent cliff faced by the company.
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