GBS glycoconjugate vaccine (Novartis)

The GBS glycoconjugate vaccine is a biologic candidate originally developed by Novartis Vaccines (now part of GSK) for the prevention of invasive Group B Streptococcal (GBS) disease. The vaccine consists of capsular polysaccharides from multiple GBS serotypes—initially a trivalent formulation (Ia, Ib, III) and subsequently a hexavalent formulation (Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V)—each covalently conjugated to the CRM197 carrier protein (a non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin). Its primary clinical application is maternal immunization during pregnancy. The mechanism involves inducing high titers of serotype-specific IgG antibodies in the mother, which are then actively transported across the placenta to the fetus. This transplacental transfer provides passive immunity to the neonate, protecting against early-onset and late-onset GBS sepsis and meningitis during the first months of life.

Other names

Group B Streptococcus glycoconjugate vaccineGBS trivalent vaccineGBS hexavalent vaccineTrivalent Group B Streptococcus vaccineHexavalent Group B Streptococcus vaccine