Merck's Clesrovimab Shows Promise Against RSV, Reducing Hospitalizations and Competing with Beyfortus

In a pivotal Phase 2b/3 clinical trial, Merck's monoclonal antibody clesrovimab demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing RSV in infants, reducing RSV-related hospitalizations by 84% and infections by 60% compared to placebo[1][2]. The data, presented at IDWeek 2024, underscores clesrovimab's potential as a single-dose RSV prevention strategy for infants, meeting all prespecified trial endpoints without serious adverse events[2]. With these promising results, clesrovimab is poised to challenge Sanofi and AstraZeneca's Beyfortus, potentially becoming the first approved RSV immunization suitable for all infants in their initial RSV season[3].
References
- Merck antibody reduces RSV-related disease, hospitalizations in trial
- Merck’s Clesrovimab (MK-1654), an Investigational Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Preventative Monoclonal Antibody, Significantly Reduced Incidence of RSV Disease and Hospitalization in Healthy Preterm and Full-term Infants
- With trial win, Merck's RSV antibody clesrovimab looks poised to take on Sanofi and AZ's Beyfortus
Explore Further
What are the potential implications of clesrovimab's success for healthcare systems dealing with RSV?
How does the efficacy of clesrovimab compare to existing RSV treatments like Beyfortus?
What steps does Merck need to take to secure regulatory approval for clesrovimab before the 2025-26 RSV season?
In what ways might clesrovimab impact the current market landscape for RSV prevention?
What are the key differences in safety profiles between clesrovimab and other RSV antibodies such as Synagis?