Novartis says Menveo improves meningitis immunity

ZURICH, May 6 (Reuters) - Novartis AG's (NOVN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) vaccine Menveo gave improved immunity against four types of meningitis in a late-stage trial when compared with Sanofi-Aventis SA's (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Menactra, the Swiss drugmaker said on Tuesday.

Adolescents aged 11-18 who were immunised with Menveo generated higher levels of antibodies against all four types of meningitis tested -- serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y -- according to results presented at a Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Hawaii.

The Phase III trial, the first pitching Menveo directly against Menactra, assessed more than 2,100 patients aged 11-18 who received a single vaccination with one of the two vaccines.

The immune response was better after one month for all types of meningitis tested, the data showed. Infection with any of the four serogroups tested can cause bacterial meningitis, an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, or sepsis, a serious blood infection.

Meningococcal disease -- characterised by fever, headache and a stiff neck -- can cause seizures, brain damage, memory loss and death in otherwise healthy people in less than 48 hours.

Infants and adolescents have the highest rates of incidence of the disease. About 1,400 to 2,800 cases occur in the United States each year and 10-14 percent of patients die.

Menveo is currently in multiple Phase III trials and Novartis expects to submit the vaccine for approval later this year. (Reporting by Sam Cage; Editing by Greg Mahlich)