The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion for GSK's Menveo, a Meningococcal Group A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine (MenACWY vaccine), in a new single-vial, fully liquid presentation. This formulation aims to protect against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W, and Y. The decision marks a significant step toward simplifying the vaccination process and potentially improving vaccine uptake across Europe.
Streamlining Meningococcal Vaccination
If approved by the European Commission (EC), the single-vial presentation of Menveo will be licensed for active immunization in children from 2 years of age, adolescents, and adults. A key advantage of this new formulation is that it does not require reconstitution, offering healthcare providers a more convenient and efficient option for administering the vaccine. The EC's final decision is expected by November 2024.
Philip Dormitzer, GSK Head of Global Vaccines Research & Development, stated, "As a global leader in meningococcal vaccines, we are committed to finding innovative solutions that simplify immunisation against bacterial meningitis, support vaccine uptake and help protect as many people as possible from this devastating disease. We will continue our efforts to help prevent this disease in at-risk populations in the European Union."
Clinical Trial Data
GSK's submission to the EMA was supported by data from two Phase IIb trials (2017-003692-61; 2017-003456-23). These trials evaluated the immunogenicity, tolerability, and safety of the fully liquid formulation compared to the existing lyophilized/liquid formulation. The primary and secondary outcomes, reinforced by post-hoc pooled analyses, demonstrated that the new formulation has a comparable profile to the original.
Impact of Invasive Meningococcal Disease
IMD remains a serious and potentially life-threatening illness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), even with treatment, approximately one in six individuals who contract IMD will die, sometimes within 24 hours. Furthermore, one in five survivors may experience long-term complications such as brain damage, amputations, hearing loss, and nervous system problems. While anyone can be affected, infants, young children, and young adults are at higher risk.
Menveo's Established Role
The original presentation of Menveo, which requires reconstitution and was approved by the EMA in 2010, remains unaffected by this recommendation. GSK's MenACWY vaccine has been approved in over 60 countries, with more than 82 million doses distributed worldwide since 2010. In the EU, it is approved for active immunization against IMD caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W in individuals aged 2 years and older. Over 6 million doses of GSK’s MenACWY vaccine have been distributed to European countries since 2017.
