AstraZeneca and Sanofi Pasteur form alliance for RSV antibody MEDI8897
MedImmune and Sanofi Pasteur have agreed to jointly develop and commercialise MEDI8897, a potential next-generation antibody aimed at preventing RSV lower respiratory tract illness in infants.
MedImmune, AstraZeneca's global biologics research and development arm, and Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced an agreement to jointly develop and commercialise MEDI8897. This monoclonal antibody (mAb) is intended for the prevention of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of LRTI in infants and young children.
MEDI8897 is currently in Phase IIb clinical trials for premature infants ineligible for Synagis, the current standard of care. The development plan includes a proposed Phase III trial in healthy full-term and late preterm infants. Under the terms of the global agreement, Sanofi Pasteur will make an upfront payment of €120 million and up to €495 million upon achievement of development and sales milestones. The companies will share all costs and profits equally.
MedImmune and AstraZeneca will lead all development activities through initial approvals, with AstraZeneca retaining manufacturing. Sanofi Pasteur will lead global commercialisation efforts for MEDI8897. The collaboration aims to provide an RSV disease prevention approach for all infants, both term and preterm.
AstraZeneca's commitment to paediatric RSV disease prevention also continues with Synagis, the only currently approved medicine for preventing serious RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in high-risk pediatric patients. The agreement's financial terms, including the upfront payment and potential milestones, will be reported as externalisation revenue and do not impact AstraZeneca's 2017 financial guidance.