Chiron Corp. said the National Health Services (NHS) accepted its tender offer to supply the UK with its meningitis C vaccine, Menjugate. If the UK's Medicines Control Agency (MCA) approves a license to market the product, it could mean $100 million in revenue for Chiron in 2000.

The Emeryville, Calif.-based company submitted an application to the MCA in August. NHS asked for tender offers in order to implement a national immunization program against meningococcal disease. Two companies other than Chiron also submitted offers contingent upon MCA approval of their vaccines, Chiron said.

Chiron already has begun production of its vaccine and, if the product is approved, expects to supply Menjugate beginning in March.

In the UK, meningococcal meningitis is the leading cause of death for children under age 4. Last year in the UK, 1,500 people contracted the disease and 150 died from it. Menjugate, which Chiron said is well tolerated, highly immunogenic and capable of stimulating long-lasting immunity, will be used in children one and older. Clinical trials of the vaccine are ongoing in the UK and Canada.