Meningococcal meningitis is an aggressive and potentially fatal infectious disease that strikes mainly children and adolescents. In 2000, Chiron introduced Menjugate, its conjugate vaccine against meningococcal group C disease, in response to a decision in the UK to launch a universal vaccination campaign against this deadly threat. One of three conjugate vaccines selected for use in the campaign, Menjugate helped to reduce the number of cases and deaths from meningococcal C disease by 80 percent. This success has led to total Menjugate sales of more than $220 million since its launch.
Chiron is working to introduce Menjugate around the world to prevent meningococcal C infection. In April, the company gained rapid marketing approval for Menjugate in Canada under an expedited review that was prompted by a growing public health need. The Quebec Ministry of Health selected Menjugate for a universal vaccination campaign, which targeted some 1.7 million people between the ages of two months and 20 years. Chiron reached another major milestone for Menjugate when it completed the Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP) in the European Union, an achievement that will open up additional markets in Europe. The company currently continues to market Menjugate in the UK, as well as Ireland, Hungary, and Spain.
Chiron is leading efforts to eradicate the global threat posed by meningococcal meningitis, which is caused by multiple serogroups of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The company is developing a vaccine against a new vaccine target—meningococcal B disease. This product candidate is expected to enter clinical trials in 2002. Chiron also has a preclinical program to develop a conjugated multivalent vaccine targeted against serogroups A, C, Y, and W.
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