MedImmune Presents New Pharmaco-Economic Data at American Academy of Pediatrics Regarding Infants at High Risk for RSV
2007 NOV 12 -- MedImmune announced results from a recent economic analysis of Synagis(R) (palivizumab), a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that is the standard of care for prevention of severe lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high- risk infants. Released at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2007 National Conference & Exhibition, the analysis evaluated the costs of providing Synagis to premature infants, as well as the potential health benefits and cost savings that could occur from lower rates of severe RSV infections. RSV can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections in preterm infants. However, recent data have suggested that RSV infection early in an infant's life may cause subsequent chronic respiratory complications such as persistent wheezing. Dr. Mark Polak, a neonatologist and professor of pediatrics from the West Virginia University School of Medicine and lead author of the economic analysis, noted, "We factored in the potential costs of possible future complications and the quality of life associated with persistent wheezing and, based on these assumptions, our study found that preventing RSV early in life makes economic sense." The authors noted that more evidence is needed to substantiate the linkage between Synagis and subsequent reductions in persistent wheezing. MedImmune's Commitment to RSV Prevention MedImmune is a world leader in the development of innovative therapeutic biologic products to prevent RSV disease. In 1996, MedImmune launched the first anti-RSV drug, RespiGam(R) (respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin intravenous (human) (RSV-IGIV)), which was a polyclonal antibody administered via four-hour intravenous infusion. In 1998, MedImmune introduced Synagis, which was a significant product improvement as a monthly intramuscular injection for the prevention of severe RSV, as well as being the first MAb to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an infectious disease. MedImmune continues to reinforce its commitment to developing anti- RSV products with the ongoing development of its next potential anti-RSV antibody, motavizumab, for which the company is planning to submit a Biologic License Application around the beginning of 2008. MedImmune is also developing a small-molecule product candidate to prevent RSV as well as a vaccine against RSV, both of which are in Phase 1 clinical trials. Keywords: Biotechnology, Biotechnology Business, Biotechnology Company, Drugs, Immunology, Infectious Disease, MedImmune Inc., Medical Device, Monoclonal Antibody, Palivizumab, Pediatric, Pediatrics, Pharmaceuticals, Polyclonal Antibodies, Pulmonology, Quality of Life, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Respiratory Tract Infections, Synagis, Therapy, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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