RSV vaccine market for children is expected to be big

90% of infants and children under 2 yrs old get RSV… positive market outlook due to proven effects

Sanofi will launch the injectable antibody Beyfortus for prevention, ahead of the upcoming 2024-2025 RSV season

Beyfortus is expected to target first-hand labor & delivery hospitals for infants and children born during RSV season

As Sanofi is set to launch its injectable antibody drug to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease for the first time in South Korea, the company begins marketing.

 

The company aims to raise awareness of RSV disease to promote vaccination.

 

Sanofi has strategized a top-down approach, starting with labor and delivery hospitals, and expanding to private practices.

 

As clinical practices have high demand for the vaccine, it is likely to enter the market quickly.

 

Product photo of Beyfortus

According to industry sources on August 6th, Sanofi is set to launch Beyfortus, an injectable antibody for RSV prevention, ahead of the upcoming 2024-2025 vaccination season.

 

Beyfortus received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in May.

 

It is an injectable antibody to prevent lower respiratory tract diseases, including pediatric pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

 

Previously, RSV immunization product for infants and children in South Korea was only available for high-risk infants and children who are expected to have a high risk of contracting severe RSV disease, including preterm infants.

 

However, Beyfortus can be treated in all infants and children.

 

The RSV vaccination season in South Korea typically lasts from October to March, when RSV spreads.

 

In other words, Sanofi must devise a market entry strategy since it must launch soon.

 

Fortunately, the market is receptive.

 

RSV in children is typically regarded equivalent to influenza in children contracted globally during a particular season.

 

An executive from the Korean Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases explained, "RSV infection rate is extremely high with 50-60% of children are infected by RSV within the first 1-3 years of life, and 100% of children get RSV by their third birthday." He added, "Once infected, the symptoms are unlike the common cold.

 

Therefore, the expenses and caregivers support are burdensome." After the launch, Beyfortus vaccination will be non-reimbursed.

 

However, the early vaccination rate is expected to be high, considering that the market for infants and children is based on demand for vaccination rather than cost.

 

사노피는 지난 달 말부터 RSV 캠페인을 진행중이다

Ahead of the upcoming launch, Sanofi puts efforts into raising awareness of RSV disease.

 

For example, Sanofi has started an 'It turned out to be RSV, story contest,' aiming to gather patient stories related to the disease and share them.

 

Park Hee-kyung, President of Vaccine Division at Sanofi-Aventis Korea, explained, "Because RSV virus is a major cause of infant and children hospitalization, it is crucial for parents to catch early symptoms and respond to them.

 

I hope the contest will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of RSV infection-related symptoms and lower respiratory tract disease." The vaccine has been already introduced to national immunization programs in other countries, including the United States, and real-world effects have been reported.

 

Consequently, Sanofi aims to provide vaccine-related information to parents by working together with clinical institutes.

 

Then, how will the Beyfortus immunization provided?

 

Although the type of drug differs, the vaccination is expected to begin in big hospitals and expand to private clinical practices, similar to the case of GSK's shingles vaccine Shingrix.

 

For Shingrix, the vaccination was first provided in university hospitals and general hospitals to immune-compromised individuals who previously could not get shingles vaccination.

 

Sanofi official said, "Beyfortus is recommended to be administered to infants at birth for those born during the RSV season, or before they are discharged." One added, "Children born before the beginning of the RSV season are recommend to be administered before the start of the season during their visit to the pediatrics hospital for regular immunization." Typically, when a vaccine is not part of the essential immunization program, individuals are likely to consider vaccination during their hospital visits.

 

Beyfortus, which is not a vaccine but provides similar benefits, immunization is likely to begin in labor and delivery hospitals, where individuals are provided information on diseases and products.

 

Division of Infectious Diseases professor at a university hospital in Seoul said, "Because newborns, infants, and children are most vulnerable to RSV, it is a good option for providing preventative effects." Professor added, "Immunization is expected to increase gradually rather than robustly, considering the disease awareness."