Global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, MedImmune, will develop and commercialise MEDI8897 jointly with Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi.
MEDI8897 is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most prevalent cause of LRTI among infants and young children.
Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune, said:
We hope to provide an RSV disease prevention approach for all infants, both term and pre-term.
MEDI8897 is currently in a Phase IIb clinical trial in pre-term infants who are ineligible for Synagis, the current standard of care medicine. The development plan includes a proposed Phase III trial in healthy full-term and late pre-term infants.
AstraZeneca’s will continue with Synagis, the only medicine currently approved for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in paediatric patients at high risk of severe RSV disease.
Under the terms of the global agreement, Sanofi Pasteur will make an upfront payment of €120m and pay up to €495m upon achievement of certain development and sales-related milestones. The two companies will share all costs and profits equally.
MedImmune and AstraZeneca will continue to lead all development activity through initial approvals and AstraZeneca will retain MEDI8897 manufacturing activities. Sanofi-Pasteur will lead commercialisation activities.
