Clinically proven specification setting for a meningococcal serogroup a conjugate vaccine

GSK is currently working to improve the commercial presentation of the licensed quadrivalent conjugate vaccine (Menveo) for use against meningococcal serogroup A, C, W, Y (MenACWY) infections. Menveo consists of a primary, lyophilized vial, containing the serogroup A antigen that is reconstituted with the content of a second, liquid, vial that contains the serogroup C, W, Y antigens, to give the final liquid MenACWY product. Since the MenA structure is prone to hydrolytic degradation in liquid formulations, we used mathematical models to rationally design a clinical Phase 2 development plan and provide end of shelf-life (EoSL) and release specification setting for the MenACWY liquid product. By using development and clinical stability data, statistical models were built and used to predict both the MenA free saccharide (FS) and O-Acetyl (OAc) content during long-term storage conditions at 5 °C and stressed (accelerated) stability studies at 15 °C, 22.5 °C, 25 °C, 37 °C and 50 °C. This approach allowed us to define an aging plan for the clinical material to reach at least the required levels of MenA FS and OAc levels at product EoSL. The clinical material was then exposed to a temperature of 22.5 ± 2.5 °C for 59 days to generate FS OAc content of about 35% and 40%, respectively, which was then delivered to the patients in the clinical trial. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first example in the field of vaccine research where statistical models have been used to rationally design tailored lots, with the goal of setting EoSL and release specification limits based on data collected on artificially aged clinical material, in which the FS and OAc levels tested were intended to support a product shelf-life of at least 24 months.