From CNBC: 2024-10-17 18:00:01

Merck’s experimental treatment for infants to prevent respiratory syncytial virus showed positive results in a crucial trial, positioning the pharmaceutical giant as a potential market competitor in the fight against RSV, a common cause of thousands of deaths each year. The treatment reduced RSV-related hospitalizations and lower respiratory infections significantly compared to a placebo.

Results from the trial of Merck’s treatment, clesrovimab, showed an 84% reduction in RSV-related hospitalizations and a 90% decrease in hospitalizations due to lower respiratory infections among infants compared to a placebo. The treatment also decreased lower respiratory infections requiring medical attention by over 60%. Side effects were comparable between patients who received the treatment and those who took placebos.

Merck is planning to make the treatment available for infants as early as the 2025-2026 RSV season, pending regulatory approval. The treatment may compete with other RSV treatments from companies like Sanofi and AstraZeneca, offering potential advantages such as being weight-independent for dosing. Pfizer and GSK also introduced RSV vaccines last year for expectant mothers to pass on protection to their fetuses.



Read more at CNBC: Merck says experimental RSV treatment protected infants in trial