Novartis/Intercell's Ixiaro cleared in Europe

Swiss drug major Novartis' Japanese encephalitis vaccine Ixiaro has been approved in Europe. The product is the first of its kind developed  against the mosquito-borne flaviviral infection, which results in  10,000-15,000 deaths each year, and is a potentially fatal disease for  travelers to Asia.

JE has occurred from the islands of the Western Pacific in the east to  Pakistan in the west, and from far eastern Russia and Korea in the  north, to northern Australia in the south.

"Asia is a very popular travel destination for Europeans. Since JE is  spread by mosquitoes, the threat to travelers is unpredictable," said  Andrin Oswald, chief executive of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.  "Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against the  disease and Ixiaro will address an unmet medical need for travelers from  Europe to Asia," he added,