A panel of advisors to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted in favor of a drug developed by AstraZeneca and Sanofi to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants. The advisory committee's decision supports the use of the drug, potentially marking a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare.
The Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously to endorse the medicine for newborns and infants, citing a compelling safety profile. Douglas Diekema, a temporary advisory committee member and professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle, emphasized the importance of addressing a disease that affects almost every child before the age of two, highlighting the impact on families, children, and the healthcare system. He stated he was convinced by the efficacy data and reassured by the safety data.
The long-acting monoclonal antibody, known as Beyfortus (nirsevimab), is designed to prevent RSV in newborns and infants during their first RSV season, typically spanning the winter months. A key advantage of the drug is its single-dose administration, which committee members believe could enhance uptake and real-world efficacy.
The panel also voted 19-2 to support the antibody’s use for children up to two years old who remain vulnerable to the disease during their second RSV season. Sally Hunsberger, a committee member and biostatistician at the National Institutes of Health, voted a "weak no," advocating for further research on the drug's use in populations including those with congenital heart disease.
Thomas Triomphe, Sanofi’s executive vice president of vaccines, expressed encouragement regarding the advisory committee’s positive vote, emphasizing the potential of nirsevimab to reduce the annual RSV burden. Iskra Reic, AstraZeneca’s executive vice president of vaccines and immune therapies, stated that the drug builds on AstraZeneca’s strong science, leadership in RSV, and commitment to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
RSV is the primary cause of hospital admissions for babies under one year old, with most children contracting the disease before the age of two. Scientists and doctors have been pursuing vaccines and drugs against RSV for over 60 years, recognizing its substantial health burden in both young children and older adults. The FDA recently approved two vaccines for older adults from GSK Plc and Pfizer Inc., and a maternal vaccine from Pfizer aimed at protecting babies is expected to receive clearance this year. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates the market for RSV vaccines in older adults alone could reach $10 billion within the next decade.
Prior to these recent breakthroughs, AstraZeneca had an older drug that provided passive immunization for infants at risk of severe RSV. However, this antibody offered only short-term protection and required multiple injections.
