112-433: Meningococcal vaccine refers to any vaccine used to prevent infection by Neisseria meningitidis . Different versions are effective against some or all of the following types of meningococcus: A, B, C, W-135, and Y. The vaccines are between 85 and 100% effective for at least two years. They result in a decrease in meningitis and sepsis among populations where they are widely used. They are given either by injection into
224-456: A 10% stake in German biotech company CureVac . In March 2018, GSK announced that it has reached an agreement with Novartis to acquire Novartis's 36.5% stake in their Consumer Healthcare Joint Venture for US$ 13 billion (£9.2 billion). In December 2018, GSK announced that it, along with Pfizer , had reached an agreement to merge and combine their consumer healthcare divisions into
336-456: A 10–11-year study of 657,461 children found that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism and actually reduced the risk of autism by seven percent. Beside the active vaccine itself, the following excipients and residual manufacturing compounds are present or may be present in vaccine preparations: Various fairly standardized abbreviations for vaccine names have developed, although the standardization
448-570: A German biotech company, for US$ 98 million, and in June, worldwide rights to alitretinoin (Toctino), an eczema drug, for US$ 302 million. In 2013, GSK acquired Human Genome Sciences (HGS) for US$ 3 billion; the companies had collaborated on developing the lupus drug Belimumab (Benlysta), albiglutide for type 2 diabetes , and darapladib for atherosclerosis , and in September, sold its beverage division to Suntory . This included
560-507: A Medicines Research Centre in Stevenage , Hertfordshire . Also that year, Glaxo Wellcome acquired the California -based Affymax, a leader in the field of combinatorial chemistry . By 1999, Glaxo Wellcome had become the world's third-largest pharmaceutical company by revenues (behind Novartis and Merck), with a global market share of around 4 per cent. Its products included Imigran (for
672-678: A Swiss pharmaceutical company, for US$ 190 million, and in June that year that it would sell two meningitis drugs to Pfizer , Nimenrix and Mencevax for around US$ 130 million. Philip Hampton , at that time chair of the Royal Bank of Scotland , became GSK chairman in September 2015. On 31 March 2017, Emma Walmsley became CEO . She is the first female CEO of the company. In December 2017, Reuters reported that Glaxo had increased its stake in its Saudi Arabian unit to 75% (from 49%) taking over control from its Saudi partner Banaja KSA Holding Company. With respect to rare diseases ,
784-541: A US$ 3 billion (£1.9bn) settlement. It was the largest health-care fraud case to date in the US and the largest settlement in the pharmaceutical industry . Joseph Nathan and Co. was founded in 1873, as a general trading company in Wellington , New Zealand, by a Londoner, Joseph Edward Nathan . In 1904, it began producing a dried-milk baby food from excess milk produced on dairy farms near Bunnythorpe . The resulting product
896-505: A US$ 660-million deal, Prestige Brands Holdings took over 17 GSK brands with sales of US$ 210 million, including BC Powder , Beano , Ecotrin , Fiber Choice, Goody's Powder , Sominex and Tagamet . In 2012, the company announced that it would invest £500 million in manufacturing facilities in Ulverston , northern England, designating it as the site for a previously announced biotech plant. In May that year it acquired CellZome,
1008-435: A broad immune response. Although most attenuated vaccines are viral, some are bacterial in nature. Examples include the viral diseases yellow fever , measles , mumps , and rubella , and the bacterial disease typhoid . The live Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine developed by Calmette and Guérin is not made of a contagious strain but contains a virulently modified strain called " BCG " used to elicit an immune response to
1120-755: A business doing research into animal health, and Recherche et Industrie Thérapeutiques in Belgium in 1963, to focus on vaccines. The company began to expand globally, buying seven laboratories in Canada and the United States in 1969. In 1982, it bought Allergan , a manufacturer of eye and skincare products. Smith Kline & French merged with Beckman Inc. in 1982, and changed its name to SmithKline Beckman . In 1988, it bought International Clinical Laboratories. In 1989, SmithKline Beckman merged with Beecham Group to form SmithKline Beecham P.L.C. . The headquarters moved from
1232-550: A complete clinical cycle of development and trials proves the vaccine is safe and has long-term effectiveness, following scientific review by a multinational or national regulatory organization, such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Upon developing countries adopting WHO guidelines for vaccine development and licensure, each country has its own responsibility to issue
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#17328811301261344-425: A demerger and subsequent listing of the joint venture. This will create two publicly traded companies, one focusing on pharmaceuticals and research & development, the other on consumer healthcare. On 22 February 2022, GSK announced that the spin-off consumer healthcare company will be called Haleon . In January 2022, the company announced that they had received three unsolicited offers from Unilever to acquire
1456-468: A diminished, not increased, antibody response, so boosters are not recommended with this vaccine. As with all polysaccharide vaccines, Menomune does not produce mucosal immunity , so people can still become colonised with virulent strains of meningococcus, and no herd immunity can develop. For this reason, Menomune is suitable for travellers requiring short-term protection, but not for national public health prevention programs. Menveo and Menactra contain
1568-415: A given immune reaction. In some cases vaccines may result in partial immune protection (in which immunity is less than 100% effective but still reduces risk of infection) or in temporary immune protection (in which immunity wanes over time) rather than full or permanent immunity. They can still raise the reinfection threshold for the population as a whole and make a substantial impact. They can also mitigate
1680-546: A licence from the European Commission . However, deployment in individual EU member countries still depends on decisions by national governments. In July 2013, the United Kingdom's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issued an interim position statement recommending against adoption of Bexsero as part of a routine meningococcal B immunisation program, on the grounds of cost-effectiveness. This decision
1792-461: A merger of a number of pharmaceutical companies around the Smith, Kline & French firm. GSK is the tenth largest pharmaceutical company and No. 294 on the 2022 Fortune Global 500 , ranked behind other pharmaceutical companies China Resources , Sinopharm , Johnson & Johnson , Pfizer , Roche , AbbVie , Novartis , Bayer , and Merck Sharp & Dohme . The company has a primary listing on
1904-799: A million doses. The first meningococcal vaccine became available in the 1970s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines . Inspired by the response to the 1997 outbreak in Nigeria, the WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières , and other groups created the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control, which manages global response strategy. ICGs have since been created for other epidemic diseases. Neisseria meningitidis has 13 clinically significant serogroups , classified according to
2016-511: A muscle or just under the skin . The World Health Organization recommends that countries with a moderate or high rate of disease or with frequent outbreaks should routinely vaccinate . In countries with a low risk of disease, they recommend that high risk groups should be immunized. In the African meningitis belt efforts to immunize all people between the ages of one and thirty with the meningococcal A conjugate vaccine are ongoing. In Canada and
2128-507: A national licensure, and to manage, deploy, and monitor the vaccine throughout its use in each nation. Building trust and acceptance of a licensed vaccine among the public is a task of communication by governments and healthcare personnel to ensure a vaccination campaign proceeds smoothly, saves lives, and enables economic recovery. When a vaccine is licensed, it will initially be in limited supply due to variable manufacturing, distribution, and logistical factors, requiring an allocation plan for
2240-511: A number of tranches. The same day, the company also announced it would acquire oncology specialist, Tesaro , for US$ 5.1 billion. The deal will give GSK control of ovarian cancer treatment, Zejula - a member of the class of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. In October 2019, GSK agreed to sell its rabies vaccine, RabAvert , and its tick-borne encephalitis vaccine, Encepur , to Bavarian Nordic for US$ 1.06 billion (€955 million). In July 2020, GSK acquired
2352-598: A severe allergic reaction. In 2016 Health Canada warned of an increased risk of anemia or hemolysis in people treated with eculizumab (Soliris). The highest risk was when individuals "received a dose of Soliris within 2 weeks after being vaccinated with Bexsero". Despite initial concerns about Guillain-Barré syndrome , subsequent studies in 2012 have shown no increased risk of GBS after meningococcal conjugate vaccination. Travellers who wish to enter or leave certain countries or territories must be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis, preferably 10–14 days before crossing
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#17328811301262464-643: A single entity. The combined entity would have sales of around £9.8 billion ($ 12.7 billion), with GSK maintaining a 68% controlling stake in the joint venture. Pfizer would own the remaining 32% shareholding. The deal builds on an earlier 2018 deal where GSK bought out Novartis' stake in the GSK-Novartis consumer healthcare joint business. The culmination of the Consumer Healthcare string of deals will result in GSK splitting into two separate companies, via
2576-400: A strong immune response. When two or more vaccines are mixed in the same formulation, the two vaccines can interfere. This most frequently occurs with live attenuated vaccines, where one of the vaccine components is more robust than the others and suppresses the growth and immune response to the other components. This phenomenon was first noted in the trivalent Sabin polio vaccine , where
2688-420: Is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious or malignant disease. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines has been widely studied and verified. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins. The agent stimulates
2800-537: Is a novel type of vaccine which is composed of the nucleic acid RNA, packaged within a vector such as lipid nanoparticles . Among the COVID-19 vaccines are a number of RNA vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and some have been approved or have received emergency use authorization in some countries. For example, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and Moderna mRNA vaccine are approved for use in adults and children in
2912-502: Is approved for use in individuals 10 through 25 years of age. There are three quadrivalent vaccines available in the United States targeting serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y: Menveo and Menquadfi are approved for medical use in the European Union. The first meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV-4), Menactra, was licensed in the US in 2005, by Sanofi Pasteur ; Menveo was licensed in 2010, by Novartis . Both MCV-4 vaccines are approved by
3024-516: Is at the CDC's page called "Vaccine Acronyms and Abbreviations", with abbreviations used on U.S. immunization records. The United States Adopted Name system has some conventions for the word order of vaccine names, placing head nouns first and adjectives postpositively . This is why the USAN for " OPV " is "poliovirus vaccine live oral" rather than "oral poliovirus vaccine". A vaccine licensure occurs after
3136-438: Is by no means centralized or global. For example, the vaccine names used in the United States have well-established abbreviations that are also widely known and used elsewhere. An extensive list of them provided in a sortable table and freely accessible is available at a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web page. The page explains that "The abbreviations [in] this table (Column 3) were standardized jointly by staff of
3248-440: Is called herd immunity . Polio, which is transmitted only among humans, is targeted by an extensive eradication campaign that has seen endemic polio restricted to only parts of three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan). However, the difficulty of reaching all children, cultural misunderstandings, and disinformation have caused the anticipated eradication date to be missed several times. Vaccines also help prevent
3360-454: Is designed to immunize against a single antigen or single microorganism. A multivalent or polyvalent vaccine is designed to immunize against two or more strains of the same microorganism, or against two or more microorganisms. The valency of a multivalent vaccine may be denoted with a Greek or Latin prefix (e.g., bivalent , trivalent , or tetravalent/quadrivalent ). In certain cases, a monovalent vaccine may be preferable for rapidly developing
3472-524: Is encountered, the body recognizes the protein coat on the agent, and thus is prepared to respond, by first neutralizing the target agent before it can enter cells, and secondly by recognizing and destroying infected cells before that agent can multiply to vast numbers. Limitations to their effectiveness, nevertheless, exist. Sometimes, protection fails for vaccine-related reasons such as failures in vaccine attenuation, vaccination regimens or administration. Failure may also occur for host-related reasons if
Meningococcal vaccine - Misplaced Pages Continue
3584-524: Is more effective against bacteria, has a better shelf-life, and improves vaccine stability, potency, and safety; but, in the U.S., the European Union , and a few other affluent countries, it is no longer used as a preservative in childhood vaccines, as a precautionary measure due to its mercury content. Although controversial claims have been made that thiomersal contributes to autism , no convincing scientific evidence supports these claims. Furthermore,
3696-430: Is not licensed in the United States. Mencevax ( GlaxoSmithKline ) and NmVac4-A/C/Y/W-135 ( JN-International Medical Corporation ) are used worldwide, but have not been licensed in the United States. The duration of immunity mediated by Menomune (MPSV-4) is three years or less in children aged under five because it does not generate memory T cells . Attempting to overcome this problem by repeated immunization results in
3808-575: Is prevented. The administration of vaccines is called vaccination . Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases; widespread immunity due to vaccination is largely responsible for the worldwide eradication of smallpox and the restriction of diseases such as polio , measles , and tetanus from much of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that licensed vaccines are currently available for twenty-five different preventable infections . The first recorded use of inoculation to prevent smallpox occurred in
3920-482: Is rarely associated with complications in immunodeficient individuals, and rotavirus vaccines are moderately associated with intussusception . At least 19 countries have no-fault compensation programs to provide compensation for those with severe adverse effects of vaccination. The United States' program is known as the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act , and the United Kingdom employs
4032-663: Is the United States. Its US headquarters are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Durham, North Carolina; its consumer-products division is in Moon Township, Pennsylvania . In July 2020, the UK government signed up for 60 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by GSK and Sanofi . It uses a recombinant protein –based technology from Sanofi and GSK's pandemic technology. The companies claimed to be able to produce one billion doses, subject to successful trials and regulatory approval, during
4144-462: Is the subunit vaccine against hepatitis B , which is composed of only the surface proteins of the virus (previously extracted from the blood serum of chronically infected patients but now produced by recombination of the viral genes into yeast ). Other examples include the Gardasil virus-like particle human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subunits of
4256-410: Is too similar to human neural adhesion molecules to be a useful target. A number of "serogroup B" vaccines have been produced. Strictly speaking, these are not "serogroup B" vaccines, as they do not aim to produce antibodies to the group B antigen: it would be more accurate to describe them as serogroup independent vaccines, as they employ different antigenic components of the organism; indeed, some of
4368-729: The Beecham Group . In 1859, Beecham opened its first factory in St Helens , Lancashire . By the 1960s, Beecham was extensively involved in pharmaceuticals and consumer products such as Macleans toothpaste , Lucozade and synthetic penicillin research. John K. Smith opened his first pharmacy in Philadelphia in 1830. In 1865, Mahlon Kline joined the business, which 10 years later became Smith, Kline & Co. In 1891, it merged with French, Richard and Company, and in 1929, changed its name to Smith Kline & French Laboratories as it focused more on research. Years later it bought Norden Laboratories,
4480-589: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 2 through 55 years of age. Menactra received FDA approval for use in children as young as 9 months in April 2011, while Menveo received FDA approval for use in children as young as two months in August 2013. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not made recommendations for or against its use in children less than two years. Menquadfi, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur ,
4592-736: The London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index . As of February 2024, it had a market capitalisation of £69 billion, the eighth largest on the London Stock Exchange. The company developed the first malaria vaccine , RTS,S , which it said in 2014, it would make available for five per cent above cost. Legacy products developed at GSK include several listed in the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines , such as amoxicillin , mercaptopurine , pyrimethamine and zidovudine . In 2012, under prosecution by
Meningococcal vaccine - Misplaced Pages Continue
4704-734: The Lucozade and Ribena brands of soft drinks, but they were sold in 2013, to Suntory for £1.35bn. Other products include Abreva to treat cold sores; Night Nurse, a cold remedy; Breathe Right nasal strips ; and Nicoderm and Nicorette nicotine replacements. In March 2014, it recalled Alli , an over-the-counter weight-loss drug, in the United States and Puerto Rico because of possible tampering, following customer complaints. As of 2013 , GSK had offices in over 115 countries and employed over 99,000 people, 12,500 in R&;D . The company's single largest market
4816-525: The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) based on combined investigations of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), FDA and FBI , primarily concerning sales and marketing of the drugs Avandia , Paxil and Wellbutrin , GSK pleaded guilty to promotion of drugs for unapproved uses, failure to report safety data and kickbacks to physicians in the United States and agreed to pay
4928-641: The Vaccine Damage Payment . Vaccines typically contain attenuated, inactivated or dead organisms or purified products derived from them. There are several types of vaccines in use. These represent different strategies used to try to reduce the risk of illness while retaining the ability to induce a beneficial immune response. Some vaccines contain live, attenuated microorganisms. Many of these are active viruses that have been cultivated under conditions that disable their virulent properties, or that use closely related but less dangerous organisms to produce
5040-845: The influenza virus, and edible algae vaccines . A subunit vaccine is being used for plague immunization. Certain bacteria have a polysaccharide outer coat that is poorly immunogenic . By linking these outer coats to proteins (e.g., toxins), the immune system can be led to recognize the polysaccharide as if it were a protein antigen. This approach is used in the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine . Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are naturally immunogenic and can be manipulated to produce potent vaccines. The best known OMV vaccines are those developed for serotype B meningococcal disease . Heterologous vaccines also known as "Jennerian vaccines", are vaccines that are pathogens of other animals that either do not cause disease or cause mild disease in
5152-452: The 16th century in China, with the earliest hints of the practice in China coming during the 10th century. It was also the first disease for which a vaccine was produced. The folk practice of inoculation against smallpox was brought from Turkey to Britain in 1721 by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu . The terms vaccine and vaccination are derived from Variolae vaccinae (smallpox of the cow),
5264-518: The CDC further explains that "Upper-case letters in these abbreviations denote full-strength doses of diphtheria (D) and tetanus (T) toxoids and pertussis (P) vaccine. Lower-case "d" and "p" denote reduced doses of diphtheria and pertussis used in the adolescent/adult-formulations. The 'a' in DTaP and Tdap stands for 'acellular', meaning that the pertussis component contains only a part of the pertussis organism." Another list of established vaccine abbreviations
5376-606: The CDC. Nimenrix (developed by GlaxoSmithKline and later acquired by Pfizer ), is a quadrivalent conjugate vaccine against serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y. In April 2012 Nimenrix was approved as the first quadrivalent vaccine against invasive meningococcal disease to be administered as a single dose in those over the age of one year, by the European Medicines Agency. In 2016, they approved the vaccine in infants six weeks of age and older, and it has been approved in other countries including Canada and Australia, among others. It
5488-701: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ACIP Work Groups, the editor of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the editor of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (the Pink Book), ACIP members, and liaison organizations to the ACIP." Some examples are " DTaP " for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine, "DT" for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, and "Td" for tetanus and diphtheria toxoids. At its page on tetanus vaccination,
5600-724: The Consumer Healthcare business unit, with the final proposal valuing the business unit at £50 billion (£41.7 billion in cash, plus £8.3 billion in Unilever shares). Subsequently, GSK declined all outside offers/attempts to acquire its consumer healthcare business and moved forward with its plan to complete the demerger from the main biopharmaceutical business. In April 2022, the business announced it would acquire Sierra Oncology Inc for $ 1.9 billion ($ 55 per share). In May 2022, GSK announced it would acquire Affinivax and its phase II 24-valent pneumococcal vaccine candidate for up to $ 3.3 billion, strengthening its vaccine business. On 16 May 2022,
5712-673: The FDA approved GSK's vaccine for 2009 H1N1 influenza protection, manufactured by the company's ID Biomedical Corp in Canada. Also in November 2009, GSK formed a joint venture with Pfizer to create ViiV Healthcare , which specializes in HIV research. In 2010, the company acquired Laboratorios Phoenix, an Argentine pharmaceutical company, for US$ 253m, and the UK-based sports nutrition company Maxinutrition for £162 million (US$ 256 million). In 2011, in
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#17328811301265824-637: The State of Norway by persons affected by serious adverse reactions. Information that the health authorities obtained during the vaccine development were subsequently passed on to Chiron (now GlaxoSmithKline), who developed a similar vaccine, MeNZB , for New Zealand. A MenB vaccine was approved for use in Europe in January 2013. Following a positive recommendation from the European Union's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use , Bexsero, produced by Novartis , received
5936-572: The US headquarters until the company moved to Research Triangle Park in North Carolina in 1971. The Nobel Prize winning scientists Gertrude B. Elion and George H. Hitchings worked there and invented drugs still used many years later, such as mercaptopurine . In 1959, the Wellcome Foundation bought Cooper, McDougall & Robertson Inc to become more active in animal health. When Burroughs Wellcome decided to move its headquarters,
6048-696: The US market. In 1983, the American arm, Glaxo Inc., moved to Research Triangle Park (US headquarters/research) and Zebulon (US manufacturing) in North Carolina . Burroughs Wellcome & Company was founded in 1880, in London by the American pharmacists Henry Wellcome and Silas Burroughs . The Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories opened in 1902. In the 1920s, Burroughs Wellcome established research and manufacturing facilities in Tuckahoe, New York , which served as
6160-441: The US. A DNA vaccine uses a DNA plasmid (pDNA)) that encodes for an antigenic protein originating from the pathogen upon which the vaccine will be targeted. pDNA is inexpensive, stable, and relatively safe, making it an excellent option for vaccine delivery. This approach offers a number of potential advantages over traditional approaches, including the stimulation of both B- and T-cell responses, improved vaccine stability,
6272-510: The United States as political differences limited cooperation between the two countries. Due to a similarly high prevalence of B-serotype meningitis in Norway between 1974 and 1988, Norwegian health authorities developed a vaccine specifically designed for Norwegian children and adolescents. Clinical trials were discontinued after the vaccine was shown to cover only slightly more than 50% of all cases. Furthermore, lawsuits for damages were filed against
6384-478: The United States the vaccines effective against four types of meningococcus (A, C, W, and Y) are recommended routinely for teenagers and others who are at high risk. Saudi Arabia requires vaccination with the quadrivalent vaccine for international travellers to Mecca for Hajj . Meningococcal vaccines are generally safe. Some people develop pain and redness at the injection site. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. Severe allergic reactions occur in less than one in
6496-575: The United States to England. To expand R&D in the United States, the company bought a new research center in 1995; another opened in 1997, in England at New Frontiers Science Park , Harlow . Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham announced their intention to merge in January 2000. The merger was completed on 27 December that year, forming GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The company's global headquarters were at GSK House, Brentford , London, officially opened in 2002, by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair . The building
6608-469: The absence of any infectious agent and the relative ease of large-scale manufacture. Many innovative vaccines are also in development and use. While most vaccines are created using inactivated or attenuated compounds from microorganisms, synthetic vaccines are composed mainly or wholly of synthetic peptides, carbohydrates, or antigens. Vaccines may be monovalent (also called univalent ) or multivalent (also called polyvalent ). A monovalent vaccine
6720-504: The acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) meningitis and vaccine preventable diseases branch told NBC News that they had authorized emergency importation of Bexsero to stop the outbreak. Bexsero was subsequently approved by the FDA in February 2015 for use in individuals 10 through 25 years of age. In October 2014, Trumenba, a serogroup B vaccine produced by Pfizer ,
6832-475: The amount of serotype 2 virus in the vaccine had to be reduced to stop it from interfering with the "take" of the serotype 1 and 3 viruses in the vaccine. It was also noted in a 2001 study to be a problem with dengue vaccines, where the DEN-3 serotype was found to predominate and suppress the response to DEN-1, -2 and -4 serotypes. Vaccines typically contain one or more adjuvants , used to boost
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#17328811301266944-567: The antigenic structure of their polysaccharide capsule. Six serogroups, A, B, C, Y, W-135, and X, are responsible for virtually all cases of the disease in humans. Serogroup B is a major cause of meningococcal disease in younger children and adolescents. Penbraya was approved for use in the United States in October 2023. It combines the vaccines Trumenba and Nimenrix. Penbraya is indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y. It
7056-458: The antigens are common to different Neisseria species. A vaccine for serogroup B was developed in Cuba in response to a large outbreak of meningitis B during the 1980s. This vaccine was based on artificially produced outer membrane vesicles of the bacterium. The VA-MENGOC-BC vaccine proved safe and effective in randomized double-blind studies, but it was granted a licence only for research purposes in
7168-482: The body's immune system to recognize the agent as a threat, destroy it, and recognize further and destroy any of the microorganisms associated with that agent that it may encounter in the future. Vaccines can be prophylactic (to prevent or alleviate the effects of a future infection by a natural or "wild" pathogen ), or therapeutic (to fight a disease that has already occurred, such as cancer ). Some vaccines offer full sterilizing immunity , in which infection
7280-653: The border, and be able to present a vaccination record/certificate at the border checks. Countries with required meningococcal vaccination for travellers include The Gambia , Indonesia, Lebanon, Libya, the Philippines and, most importantly and extensively, Saudi Arabia for Muslims visiting or working in Mecca during the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages. For some countries in African meningitis belt , vaccinations prior to entry are not required, but highly recommended. Vaccine A vaccine
7392-518: The brands Lucozade and Ribena ; however, the deal did not include Horlicks . In March 2014, GSK paid US$ 1 billion to raise its stake in its Indian pharmaceutical unit, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals , to 75 per cent as part of a move to focus on emerging markets. In April 2014, Novartis and Glaxo agreed on more than US$ 20 billion in deals, with Novartis selling its vaccine business to GSK and buying GSK's cancer business. In February 2015, GSK announced that it would acquire GlycoVaxyn,
7504-635: The business unit as they look to strengthen their presence in India. On 3 December 2018, GSK announced that Unilever would acquire the Indian-listed GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare business for US$ 3.8 billion (£2.98 billion). Unilever will pay the majority of the deal in cash, with the remaining being paid in shares in its Indian operation, Hindustan Unilever Limited . Upon completion, GSK will then own around 5.7% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, selling those shares in
7616-636: The company aligned with GSK's business. In September 2019, Avalon Ventures announced that it entered into a definitive agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the acquisition of Sitari Pharmaceuticals by GSK. This includes its transglutaminase 2 (TG2) small molecule program for the treatment of celiac disease . Four GlaxoSmithKline scientists have been recognized by the Nobel Committee for their contributions to basic medical science and/or therapeutics development. Since 2010, GlaxoSmithKline has several times ranked first among pharmaceutical companies on
7728-1308: The company changed its name from GlaxoSmithKline to GSK. In April 2023, GSK announced it would acquire Bellus Health Inc. for $ 2 billion. In February 2024, the company acquired Aiolos Bio for over $ 1 billion, adding to its existing asthma business through AIO-001 a long-acting monoclonal antibody that targets the thymic stromal lymphopoietin cytokine. In May 2024, GSK sold off its 4.2% shares in Haleon for $ 1.58 billion. In July 2024, GSK moved its headquarters from Brentford to New Oxford Street in central London. GSK manufactures products for major disease areas such as asthma, cancer, infections, diabetes, and mental health. Medicines historically discovered or developed at GSK and its legacy companies and now sold as generics include amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate , ticarcillin-clavulanate , mupirocin , and ceftazidime for bacterial infections, zidovudine for HIV infection , valacyclovir for herpes virus infections, albendazole for parasitic infections, sumatriptan for migraine , lamotrigine for epilepsy, bupropion and paroxetine for major depressive disorder , cimetidine and ranitidine for gastroesophageal reflux disorder , mercaptopurine and thioguanine for
7840-404: The company divested its portfolio of gene therapy drugs to Orchard Therapeutics in April 2018. In November 2018, Reuters reported that Unilever was in prime position to acquire GSK's interest in its Indian unit, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd, in a sale that could generate around US$ 4 billion for the company. Nestlé and Coca-Cola have also been reported to be interested in
7952-512: The company selected Paul Rudolph to design its new building. The Elion-Hitchings Building "was celebrated worldwide when it was built," according to Paul Rudolph Heritage Foundation president Kelvin Dickinson. Alex Sayf Cummings of Georgia State University wrote in 2016, that the "iconic building helped define the image of RTP," saying, "Love it or hate it, Rudolph's design remains an impressively audacious creative gesture and an important part of
8064-597: The current conjugate vaccines offer continued protection beyond three years; studies are ongoing to determine the actual duration of immunity, and the subsequent requirement of booster vaccinations. The CDC offers recommendations regarding who they feel should get booster vaccinations. In June 2012, the FDA approved a combination vaccine against two types of meningococcal disease and Hib disease for infants and children 6 weeks to 18 months old. The vaccine, Menhibrix, prevents disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b. This
8176-503: The development of antibiotic resistance. For example, by greatly reducing the incidence of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae , vaccine programs have greatly reduced the prevalence of infections resistant to penicillin or other first-line antibiotics. The measles vaccine is estimated to prevent a million deaths every year. Vaccinations given to children, adolescents, or adults are generally safe. Adverse effects, if any, are generally mild. The rate of side effects depends on
8288-425: The eradication of smallpox , one of the most contagious and deadly diseases in humans. Other diseases such as rubella, polio , measles, mumps, chickenpox , and typhoid are nowhere near as common as they were a hundred years ago thanks to widespread vaccination programs. As long as the vast majority of people are vaccinated, it is much more difficult for an outbreak of disease to occur, let alone spread. This effect
8400-416: The finished product, as they may in the environment and population as a whole. Many vaccines need preservatives to prevent serious adverse effects such as Staphylococcus infection, which in one 1928 incident killed 12 of 21 children inoculated with a diphtheria vaccine that lacked a preservative. Several preservatives are available, including thiomersal, phenoxyethanol , and formaldehyde . Thiomersal
8512-589: The first malaria vaccine . Malaria is responsible for over 650,000 deaths annually, mainly in Africa. Known as RTS,S , the vaccine was developed as a joint project with the PATH vaccines initiative and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation . The company has committed to making the vaccine available in developing countries for five per cent above the cost of production. As of 2013 , RTS,S, which uses GSK's proprietary AS01 adjuvant,
8624-496: The first half of 2021. The company also agreed to a $ 2.1 billion deal with the United States to produce 100 million doses of the vaccine. SR One was established in 1985, by SmithKline Beecham to invest in new biotechnology companies and continued operating after GSK was formed; by 2003, GSK had formed another subsidiary, GSK Ventures, to out-license or start new companies around drug candidates that it did not intend to develop further. As of 2003 , SR One tended to invest only if
8736-541: The general population, a high standard of safety is required. As part of a multinational licensing of a vaccine, the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Biological Standardization developed guidelines of international standards for manufacturing and quality control of vaccines, a process intended as a platform for national regulatory agencies to apply for their own licensing process. Vaccine manufacturers do not receive licensing until
8848-457: The group's structure in 1947, making Glaxo the parent and obtained a listing on the London Stock Exchange . Glaxo acquired Allen & Hanburys in 1958. The Scottish pharmacologist David Jack was hired as a researcher for Allen & Hanburys a few years after Glaxo took it over; he went on to lead the company's research and development (R&D) until 1987. After Glaxo bought Meyer Laboratories in 1978, it began to play an important role in
8960-510: The history of both architecture and Research Triangle Park ." United Therapeutics , which bought the building in 2012, announced plans in 2020, to tear it down. Glaxo and Wellcome merged in 1995, to form Glaxo Wellcome plc. The merger was then considered the biggest in the UK corporate history. Glaxo Wellcome restructured its R&D operation that year, cutting 10,000 jobs worldwide, closing its R&D facility in Beckenham, Kent, and opening
9072-434: The host can still become infected. Once antibodies are produced, they may promote immunity in any of several ways, depending on the class of antibodies involved. Their success in clearing or inactivating a pathogen will depend on the amount of antibodies produced and on the extent to which those antibodies are effective at countering the strain of the pathogen involved, since different strains may be differently susceptible to
9184-414: The host's immune system does not respond adequately or at all. Host-related lack of response occurs in an estimated 2-10% of individuals, due to factors including genetics, immune status, age, health and nutritional status. One type of primary immunodeficiency disorder resulting in genetic failure is X-linked agammaglobulinemia , in which the absence of an enzyme essential for B cell development prevents
9296-411: The host's immune system from generating antibodies to a pathogen . Host–pathogen interactions and responses to infection are dynamic processes involving multiple pathways in the immune system. A host does not develop antibodies instantaneously: while the body's innate immunity may be activated in as little as twelve hours, adaptive immunity can take 1–2 weeks to fully develop. During that time,
9408-417: The immune response. Tetanus toxoid, for instance, is usually adsorbed onto alum . This presents the antigen in such a way as to produce a greater action than the simple aqueous tetanus toxoid. People who have an adverse reaction to adsorbed tetanus toxoid may be given the simple vaccine when the time comes for a booster. In the preparation for the 1990 Persian Gulf campaign, the whole cell pertussis vaccine
9520-430: The immunodominant antigen of the pathogen or a surface protein that enables the formation of neutralizing antibodies. The subgroup of genetic vaccines encompass viral vector vaccines, RNA vaccines and DNA vaccines. Viral vector vaccines use a safe virus to insert pathogen genes in the body to produce specific antigens , such as surface proteins , to stimulate an immune response . An mRNA vaccine (or RNA vaccine )
9632-451: The limited supply and which population segments should be prioritized to first receive the vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline GSK plc (an acronym from its former name GlaxoSmithKline plc ) is a British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with headquarters in London . It was established in 2000 by a merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, which was itself
9744-448: The microorganism. Examples of toxoid-based vaccines include tetanus and diphtheria . Not all toxoids are for microorganisms; for example, Crotalus atrox toxoid is used to vaccinate dogs against rattlesnake bites. Rather than introducing an inactivated or attenuated microorganism to an immune system (which would constitute a "whole-agent" vaccine), a subunit vaccine uses a fragment of it to create an immune response. One example
9856-407: The new protective inoculations then being developed. The science of vaccine development and production is termed vaccinology . There is overwhelming scientific consensus that vaccines are a very safe and effective way to fight and eradicate infectious diseases. The immune system recognizes vaccine agents as foreign, destroys them, and "remembers" them. When the virulent version of an agent
9968-440: The number of cases dropped to fewer than 150 per year (median of 56). In early 2008, there were 64 suspected cases of measles. Fifty-four of those infections were associated with importation from another country, although only thirteen percent were actually acquired outside the United States; 63 of the 64 individuals either had never been vaccinated against measles or were uncertain whether they had been vaccinated. Vaccines led to
10080-446: The only childhood vaccine in the U.S. that contains thiomersal in greater than trace amounts is the influenza vaccine, which is currently recommended only for children with certain risk factors. Single-dose influenza vaccines supplied in the UK do not list thiomersal in the ingredients. Preservatives may be used at various stages of the production of vaccines, and the most sophisticated methods of measurement might detect traces of them in
10192-400: The organism being treated. The classic example is Jenner's use of cowpox to protect against smallpox. A current example is the use of BCG vaccine made from Mycobacterium bovis to protect against tuberculosis . Genetic vaccines are based on the principle of uptake of a nucleic acid into cells, whereupon a protein is produced according to the nucleic acid template. This protein is usually
10304-403: The potential to prevent outbreaks of group A meningitis, which is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Vaccines against serotype B meningococcal disease have proved difficult to produce, and require a different approach from vaccines against other serotypes. Whereas effective polysaccharide vaccines have been produced against types A, C, W-135, and Y, the capsular polysaccharide on the type B bacterium
10416-657: The same antigens as Menomune, but the antigens are conjugated to a diphtheria toxoid polysaccharide–protein complex, resulting in anticipated enhanced duration of protection, increased immunity with booster vaccinations, and effective herd immunity. A study published in March 2006, comparing the two kinds of vaccines found that 76% of subjects still had passive protection three years after receiving MCV-4 (63% protective compared with controls), but only 49% had passive protection after receiving MPSV-4 (31% protective compared with controls). As of 2010, there remains limited evidence that any of
10528-437: The severity of infection and response to a vaccine. Elderly (above age 60), allergen-hypersensitive , and obese people have susceptibility to compromised immunogenicity , which prevents or inhibits vaccine effectiveness, possibly requiring separate vaccine technologies for these specific populations or repetitive booster vaccinations to limit virus transmission . Severe side effects are extremely rare. Varicella vaccine
10640-457: The severity of infection, resulting in a lower mortality rate , lower morbidity , faster recovery from illness, and a wide range of other effects. Those who are older often display less of a response than those who are younger, a pattern known as Immunosenescence . Adjuvants commonly are used to boost immune response, particularly for older people whose immune response to a simple vaccine may have weakened. The efficacy or performance of
10752-496: The successful conclusion of the development cycle and further the clinical trials and other programs involved through Phases I–III demonstrating safety, immunoactivity, immunogenetic safety at a given specific dose, proven effectiveness in preventing infection for target populations, and enduring preventive effect (time endurance or need for revaccination must be estimated). Because preventive vaccines are predominantly evaluated in healthy population cohorts and distributed among
10864-510: The term devised by Edward Jenner (who both developed the concept of vaccines and created the first vaccine) to denote cowpox . He used the phrase in 1798 for the long title of his Inquiry into the Variolae vaccinae Known as the Cow Pox , in which he described the protective effect of cowpox against smallpox. In 1881, to honor Jenner, Louis Pasteur proposed that the terms should be extended to cover
10976-421: The treatment of leukemia, allopurinol for gout , pyrimethamine for malaria , and the antibacterial trimethoprim . Among these, albendazole, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, allopurinol, mercaptopurine, mupirocin, pyrimethamine, ranitidine, thioguanine, trimethoprim, and zidovudine are on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines . In 2014, GSK applied for regulatory approval for
11088-455: The treatment of migraine), salbutamol (Ventolin) (for the treatment of asthma), Zovirax (for the treatment of coldsores), and Retrovir and Epivir (for the treatment of AIDS). In 1999, the company was the world's largest manufacturer of drugs for the treatment of asthma and HIV/AIDS. It employed 59,000 people, including 13,400 in the UK, had 76 operating companies and 50 manufacturing facilities worldwide, and seven of its products were among
11200-574: The vaccine in question. Some common side effects include fever, pain around the injection site, and muscle aches. Additionally, some individuals may be allergic to ingredients in the vaccine. MMR vaccine is rarely associated with febrile seizures . Host-("vaccinee")-related determinants that render a person susceptible to infection, such as genetics , health status (underlying disease, nutrition, pregnancy, sensitivities or allergies ), immune competence , age, and economic impact or cultural environment can be primary or secondary factors affecting
11312-413: The vaccine is dependent on several factors: If a vaccinated individual does develop the disease vaccinated against ( breakthrough infection ), the disease is likely to be less virulent than in unvaccinated cases. Important considerations in an effective vaccination program: In 1958, there were 763,094 cases of measles in the United States; 552 deaths resulted. After the introduction of new vaccines,
11424-772: The vaccine. The live attenuated vaccine containing strain Yersinia pestis EV is used for plague immunization. Attenuated vaccines have some advantages and disadvantages. Attenuated, or live, weakened, vaccines typically provoke more durable immunological responses. But they may not be safe for use in immunocompromised individuals, and on rare occasions mutate to a virulent form and cause disease. Some vaccines contain microorganisms that have been killed or inactivated by physical or chemical means. Examples include IPV ( polio vaccine ), hepatitis A vaccine , rabies vaccine and most influenza vaccines . Toxoid vaccines are made from inactivated toxic compounds that cause illness rather than
11536-562: The world's top 50 best-selling pharmaceuticals. The company had R&D facilities in Hertfordshire, Kent , London and Verona (Italy), and manufacturing plants in Scotland and the north of England. It had R&D centres in the US and Japan, and production facilities in the US, Europe and the Far East. In 1848, Thomas Beecham launched his Beecham's Pills laxative in England, giving birth to
11648-521: Was appointed chairman of the board in 2005. GSK opened its first R&D centre in China in 2007, in Shanghai, initially focused on neurodegenerative diseases. Andrew Witty became the chief executive officer in 2008. Witty joined Glaxo in 1985, and had been president of GSK's Pharmaceuticals Europe since 2003. In 2009, GSK acquired Stiefel Laboratories , then the world's largest independent dermatology drug company, for US$ 3.6 billion . In November 2009,
11760-503: Was approved by the FDA for use in individuals 10 through 25 years of age. The occurrence of serogroup X has been reported in North America, Europe, Australia, and West Africa. There is no vaccine to protect against serogroup X N. meningitidis disease. Common side effects include pain and redness around the site of injection (up to 50% of recipients). A small percentage of people develop a mild fever. A small proportion of people develop
11872-416: Was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2020, for use in individuals two years of age and older. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV-4), Menomune, has been available since the 1970s. It may be used if MCV-4 is not available, and is the only meningococcal vaccine licensed for people older than 55. Information about who should receive the meningococcal vaccine is available from
11984-756: Was being examined in a Phase 3 trial in eight African countries. PATH reported that "[i]n the 12-month period following vaccination, RTS,S conferred approximately 50% protection from clinical Plasmodium falciparum disease in children aged 5-17 months, and approximately 30% protection in children aged 6-12 weeks when administered in conjunction with Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) vaccines." In 2014, Glaxo said it had spent more than US$ 350 million and expected to spend an additional US$ 260 million before seeking regulatory approval. GSK's consumer healthcare division, which earned £5.2 billion in 2013, sells oral healthcare, including Aquafresh , Macleans and Sensodyne toothpastes. GSK also previously owned
12096-493: Was erected at a cost of £300 million and as of 2002 was home to 3,000 administrative staff. GSK completed the acquisition of New Jersey–based Block Drug in 2001, for US$ 1.24 billion . In 2006, GSK acquired the US-based consumer healthcare company CNS Inc., whose products included Breathe Right nasal strips and FiberChoice dietary supplements, for US$ 566 million in cash. Chris Gent , previously CEO of Vodafone ,
12208-441: Was first known as Defiance, then as Glaxo (from lacto ), and sold with the slogan "Glaxo builds bonnie babies." The Glaxo Laboratories sign is still visible on what is now a car repair shop on the main street of Bunnythorpe. The company's first pharmaceutical product, released in 1924, was vitamin D. Glaxo Laboratories was incorporated as a distinct subsidiary company in London in 1935. Joseph Nathan's shareholders reorganised
12320-412: Was reverted in favor of Bexsero vaccination in March 2014. In March 2015 the UK government announced that they had reached agreement with GlaxoSmithKline who had taken over Novartis's vaccines business, and that Bexsero would be introduced into the UK routine immunization schedule later in 2015. In November 2013, in response to an outbreak of B-serotype meningitis on the campus of Princeton University ,
12432-499: Was the first meningococcal vaccine that could be given to infants as young as six weeks old. Menhibrix is indicated for active immunization to prevent invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b for children 6 weeks of age through 18 months of age. A vaccine called MenAfriVac has been developed through a program called the Meningitis Vaccine Project and has
12544-448: Was used as an adjuvant for anthrax vaccine. This produces a more rapid immune response than giving only the anthrax vaccine, which is of some benefit if exposure might be imminent. Vaccines may also contain preservatives to prevent contamination with bacteria or fungi . Until recent years, the preservative thiomersal ( a.k.a. Thimerosal in the US and Japan) was used in many vaccines that did not contain live viruses. As of 2005,
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