Atlanta, Georgia – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a dangerous pathogen that causes thousands of hospitalizations and deaths among seniors annually in the United States. However, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that RSV can also lead to severe illness in adults aged 50 and older, especially those with underlying chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and congestive heart failure.

Approximately 13 million Americans between the ages of 50 and 59 are at high risk of experiencing severe illness from RSV, according to Phil Dormitzer, the head of vaccines research and development and infectious disease research at GSK. Dormitzer highlighted the importance of addressing the medical needs of this age group while also simplifying the vaccination process for pharmacists.

GSK’s RSV vaccine is currently under review by an advisory panel to the CDC, alongside competing vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The potential expanded approval by the FDA could position GSK to maintain its stronghold in the RSV market, especially during peak seasons when the virus tends to spread more widely across the U.S.

During an earnings call in May, GSK’s Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Miels, expressed optimism about the vaccine’s potential to generate over £3 billion in peak annual sales. Dormitzer mentioned the strong efficacy of GSK’s Arexvy vaccine in high-risk adults with underlying medical conditions, citing positive results from late-stage trials.

In a late-stage trial involving adults aged 50 to 59, GSK’s vaccine demonstrated effectiveness in eliciting an immune response comparable to that observed in older age groups. The vaccine was found to be 83% effective in preventing lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV and 94% effective in preventing severe illness.

Safety data from the trials indicated that side effects were mostly mild to moderate, including fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. GSK intends to further assess the long-term efficacy of the vaccine over multiple RSV seasons to evaluate its durability in providing protection.

Apart from studying the vaccine’s efficacy in different patient groups, GSK is actively seeking regulatory approvals to expand the vaccine’s reach to high-risk adults aged 50 to 59 in various regions, including Europe and Japan. With its vaccine already approved in nearly 50 countries, GSK continues to explore opportunities to broaden its global impact in combating RSV.