AstraZeneca, Sanofi RSV Drug for Infants Wins CDC Backing
- Beyfortus protects infants from RSV, a respiratory ailment
- Sanofi sees strong prospects for sales from the drug
An Electron Micrograph shows the morphologic traits of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
Source: BSIP/Universal Images Group Editorial/Getty Images
A drug from AstraZeneca Plc and Sanofi to protect infants against a potentially fatal respiratory illness won backing Thursday from US public health advisers, moving it closer to being administered alongside other childhood immunizations.
In a 10-0 vote, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a dose of the long-acting monoclonal antibody for infants less than eight months old entering their first respiratory syncytial virus season. A separate unanimous vote recommended that vulnerable children eight to 19 months old get a dose as they enter their second RSV season. CDC Director Mandy Cohen adopted the panel’s recommendation late Thursday.