Novartis AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, has released data from a study indicating that the Menveo meningitis vaccine is effective in infants. Bacterial meningitis is a contagious illness that causes an infection of the membrane around the brain and spine. Approximately 50,000 deaths a year result from meningitis. Survivors can experience side effects such as brain damage and learning disabilities.

The vaccine has already been approved for the age group 11-55. However, infants are at greatest risk of the disease. Novartis estimates that the highest rates of meningitis occur before or during the first year of life.

Trials have already seen Menveo successfully prompt immune responses in infants 2 months old and up. Results from the 4,500 infants around the world showed that the drug was well tolerated, despite such side effects as sleepiness, irritability and persistent crying.

The company hopes to have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2010. The FDA is currently reviewing Menveo for use in children aged 2-10.

Andrin Oswald, the Division Head of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, said: “These data are another step in the significant progress Novartis is making toward our goal of protecting all age groups against meningococcal disease.”