tly from those previously identified and are present across a wide range of strains. Researchers have also shown that these proteins can stimulate an antibody response capable of killing the bacterium, a property known to correlate with vaccine efficacy in humans. Work is now underway to identify the most promising vaccine candidate(s). The final vaccine will contain one or more of these surface-expressed proteins.

The term "meningococcal disease" actually encompasses five different infective diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis (A, B, C, Y, and W135). Chiron currently has a conjugate vaccine against meningococcal C disease approved in the United Kingdom. However, there is no approved vaccine against meningococcal B disease, the most prevalent form of the infection in the United States and Europe. As an interim step, Chiron is working with the National Institutes of Health in Norway to market a first-generation vaccine against meningococcal B disease that has been shown to be effective against a specific strain of the disease.

In 1997, Chiron and TIGR established a collaboration to sequence the genome of Neisseria meningitidis in order to develop a vaccine against meningococcal B disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Chiron has the exclusive right to commercialize vaccine products resulting from the collaboration. TIGR will receive milestone payments and royalties on any such commercialized pharmaceutical products.

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Contact: Amy Giller
a.giller@noonanrusso.com
415-677-4455 x206
Noonan/Russo Communications
8-Mar-2000

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