Chiron Concludes Phase III Program for Menjugate Meningococcal C Vaccine in United States

EMERYVILLE, Calif. -- Chiron Corporation announced that it has successfully concluded its Phase III trial for Menjugate® meningococcal C vaccine in the United States and will not be filing a Biologics License Application (BLA) for the vaccine. The now-completed Phase III trial in the United States expanded the safety and immunogenicity database for Menjugate, a conjugated vaccine.

Given the changing landscape for meningococcal vaccines in the United States, we believe that our resources are better deployed by focusing on advancing our quadravalent vaccine candidate for serogroups A, C, W and Y, said John Lambert, president, Chiron Vaccines. We have learned a great deal from the Phase III study of Menjugate, and we will apply that experience to move our ACWY vaccine candidate through development.

Chirons meningococcal ACWY vaccine is currently in Phase II. The company initiated a Phase II study in infants this year and plans to initiate a Phase III program for the vaccine in 2005.

Source: Chiron