Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV A market yet to reach its full potential

Introduction

RSV mostly causes upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), resulting in the common cold. However, in certain risk groups, RSV can cause more severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) leading to bronchiolitis. These risk groups include elderly people, patients with underlying pulmonary or cardiac disease, premature infants, children under four years old and immunocompromised patients.

Scope of this report

Discusses disease background, providing insight in RSV epidemiology, etiology and symptoms

Gives a breakdown of RSV (hospitalization) prevalence in the seven major markets

Examines current diagnosis and treatment trends, providing physicians' opinions

Examines the RSV pipeline by type treatment, prophylaxis and vaccines, including a short discussion of each pipeline product

Research and analysis highlights

Some physicians do not value the importance of a correct RSV diagnosis, since there is no effective treatment available. Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend routine testing for RSV in bronchiolitis. However, there are reasons why proper diagnosis should be considered, and there is a range of tests available for that.

The RSV market is currently dominated by MedImmune's Synagis, a prophylactic monoclonal antibody. As RespiGam's successor, Synagis was first launched in 1998 and now has sales of around $750 million per RSV season. Due to its high costs though, Synagis is only prescribed to a very limited group of individuals.

Although the most important unmet need in RSV is an effective treatment or vaccine, many companies have discontinued their developments in this field. Only two companies have an RSV treatment in clinical development (Novartis/Arrow Therapeutics and Alnylam) and MedImmune dominates the limited vaccine development.

Key reasons to read this report

Gain insight into the issues of current diagnosis and treatment for RSV through key opinion leader comments

Review the unmet needs and the clinical and commercial factors driving new product decisions

Identify the opportunities and threats presented by the RSV pipeline and predict the future shape of the market

Published: 21 December 2006

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