BIOVF - AstraZeneca Sanofi's RSV therapy Beyfortus for infants shows 'consistent protection' in trial

AstraZeneca ( NASDAQ: AZN ) and Sanofi's ( NASDAQ: SNY ) antibody therapy Beyfortus continues to show consistent protection against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease through the RSV season in infants, the British drugmaker said on Tuesday.

AstraZeneca said it will present five abstracts and posters at the 7th Respiratory Syncytial Virus Foundation (ReSViNET) Conference in Lisbon, Portugal from Feb. 22 to Feb. 24, including new data on Beyfortus (nirsevimab) and Synagis (palivizumab).

The company will present data from the full group of a phase 3 trial called MELODY evaluating Beyfortus in healthy late preterm and term infants (35 weeks gestational age or greater) entering their first RSV season.

The data showed Beyfortus' consistent efficacy across goals and trials with about 70% to 80% efficacy against medically attended RSV lower respiratory tract infections, compared to placebo, including hospitalizations, AstraZeneca added.

Beyfortus is used to prevent serious lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by RSV in newborns and children.

In addition, AstraZeneca said it will present a new Canadian analysis showing Synagis to be highly cost-effective in 29 weeks to 35 weeks gestational age infants.

Synagis is used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by RSV in children born prematurely (at or before 35 weeks) and who are 6 months of age or less at the start of the RSV season.

In November 2018, AstraZeneca agreed to sell U.S. commercial rights for Synagis to Swedish Orphan Biovitrum ( OTCPK:BIOVF ) in exchange for upfront, milestone-linked and royalty payments.

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