LONDON: A recently FDA-approved monoclonal antibody, Beyfortus, has shown promising results in preventing severe illnesses and hospitalizations from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in infants, according to a real-world study conducted by British researchers.
In the study, which included over 8,000 infants under 12 months, those who received Beyfortus exhibited a significantly lower likelihood of requiring hospitalization due to severe RSV infections. The findings indicated that the antibody was nearly 90% effective in preventing hospitalization and approximately 76% effective in averting RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections.
Developed and manufactured by the collaboration of European pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Sanofi, Beyfortus employs the active ingredient nirsevimab. While approved by the FDA in July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later recommended the antibody for infants aged 19 months and younger.
Nirsevimab, though administered as a shot, is not classified as a typical vaccine but rather a monoclonal antibody treatment. The treatment exposes infants to RSV proteins, preparing their immune systems to combat potential RSV infections.
RSV-Related Illness in Infants and Older Adults
RSV is known to cause severe infections in certain groups, particularly infants and older adults, although most healthy adults may experience symptoms similar to a common cold. The CDC estimates that RSV leads to over 2 million outpatient visits among children under five and hospitalizes up to 80,000 children annually, resulting in up to 300 pediatric deaths each year.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Beyfortus’s approval and its potential to mitigate the impact of RSV during the typical fall-to-spring season, a shortage of treatment has tempered optimism among medical professionals.
In October, the CDC issued an advisory noting a scarcity of Beyfortus throughout the 2023-2024 season. Subsequently, the CDC and FDA announced plans to expedite the release of an additional 77,000 doses to address the growing demand for this critical monoclonal antibody.
