Several pharmaceutical companies are about to finalize a vaccine against bronchiolitis, which affects young children in particular every winter. The French Sanofi is in the starting blocks.
Bronchiolitis: soon ancient history? This is what it is given to believe reading the latest results presented by several pharmaceutical companies. Especially those of the French Sanofi who has already done tests on a sample of nearly 2,300 children to verify that his vaccine was well and truly tolerated and effective enough to counter the effects of this virulent virus. In detail, it is the culmination of lengthy research with the American laboratory AstraZeneca with whom Sanofi joined forces in 2017, and who is developing and manufacturing it across the Atlantic. The French will also market it, the two laboratories must indeed share the costs and profits equally if the trial turns into a success.
The product used is called Nirsevimab. It does not generate the production of antibodies that fight against the virus itself. Nirsevimab is part of the monoclonal antibodies, antibodies that are directly injected in one go. Which, in the case of infants, is quite appropriate since their immune system is not yet able to produce it at this stage of growth. Sanofi also provides an effectiveness of almost 80% against severe forms of bronchiolitis. It is therefore the most advanced vaccine ahead of that of Merck MSD, which hopes to catch up (beginning of phase 3 of tests).
We’ll have to wait a little longer!
These results have already been sent to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which could quickly issue a marketing authorization, probably by November. It will not take don’t count on it this winter however, since the French authorities must also decide on the basis of clinical data. The procedure generally lasts a year and the price of the vaccine will then have to be negotiated. So we will have to wait.
One injection for the whole season
This winter, you will still have to protect your children, especially the youngest who are also the most vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which transmits bronchiolitis. This affects 90% of children during their first two years. It is also second leading cause of infant death according to the scientific journal The Lancet. As a reminder, bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection of the small bronchi, very contagious. Which makes it all the more dangerous. Severe forms can occur and generate major respiratory discomfort, pulmonary complications that may require hospitalization. The Sanofi and AstraZeneca vaccine intends precisely to allow the reduction of medical expenses associated with bronchiolitis, the decongestion of hospitals and the consumption of antibiotics. It must allow protect a baby all season long with a single injection.
What about other categories of fragile people, prone to complications? We are talking in particular about immunocompromised people or people over the age of 65. A monoclonal antibody is not strong enough to stop the effects of the disease on them, or it would take a significant number of injections. GSK and Pfizer are working on it with rather promising phase 3 analysis results.