MedImmune to present studies investigating RSV

MedImmune is to present phase II safety data for two studies investigating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The data will be released at the 2007 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 45th Annual Meeting and marks MedImmune’s continuing commitment to developing products in the prevention of RSV.

The first study was investigating the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of motavizumab in young children after a second season of RSV prophylaxis.

Edward M Connor, executive vice president and chief medical officer at MedImmune, stated: “We are pleased to present new Phase 2 data at IDSA regarding motavizumab, a key investigational monoclonal antibody (MAb) within our product development portfolio that we are currently preparing for regulatory submission in the United States.”

He went on to outline the details of the second study investigating RSV surveillance.

The data is expected to show regional variability of RSV in the US, with the most variation occurring in the American south.

RSV is a viral pathogen that is most prevalent between autumn and spring. While most commonly RSV brings about standard cold symptoms in healthy children it can manifest into a serious respiratory illness for premature infants.

In June, Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced the successful $15.6 billion (7.8 billion pounds) acquisition of the Maryland-based biotechnology firm MedImmune.