Atlanta, Georgia – Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant threat to seniors, leading to numerous hospitalizations and deaths every year. However, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also highlight the severe impact of RSV on adults aged 50 and above, particularly those with underlying chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and congestive heart failure.
According to Phil Dormitzer, GSK’s head of vaccines research and development and infectious disease research, approximately 13 million Americans between the ages of 50 and 59 are at high risk of severe illness from RSV. This has prompted pharmaceutical companies like GSK to develop vaccines specifically targeting this vulnerable population.
GSK’s new vaccine, Arexvy, is currently under consideration by an advisory panel to the CDC, along with competing vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. If approved, GSK’s vaccine could play a crucial role in combating RSV during the upcoming fall and winter months, when the virus typically spreads more widely.
Luke Miels, Chief Commercial Officer at GSK, expressed confidence in Arexvy’s potential, predicting peak annual sales exceeding £3 billion in the future. Despite GSK’s success in the last RSV season, Dormitzer emphasized the importance of taking competition seriously in the vaccine market.
Clinical trials have shown promising results for Arexvy, demonstrating strong efficacy in high-risk adults aged 50 to 59 with underlying medical conditions. The vaccine has proven to be effective in preventing lower respiratory tract diseases and severe illness caused by RSV, with side effects being mostly mild to moderate in severity.
GSK intends to further study Arexvy’s efficacy over multiple RSV seasons to assess its long-term protective benefits. Additionally, the company is exploring the use of the vaccine in other patient groups, with plans to expand its reach in various countries around the world.
Overall, GSK’s innovative approach to combating RSV in high-risk adults signals a significant development in the field of vaccine research and could potentially have a lasting impact on public health outcomes globally.