Sanofi-Aventis Korea has launched Beyfortus (nirsevimab), an antibody injection to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Beyfortus, approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in April last year, became available for prescription at major hospitals nationwide last Wednesday, following approval by drug committees of general hospitals.

RSV is a highly contagious virus that infects 90 percent of infants and children under the age of two and can progress to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Symptoms can be severe, especially in infants with small bronchioles. There is no specific treatment emphasizing the importance of prevention.

Beyfortus can be given to all newborns and infants during their first RSV season and to children up to 24 months of age at high risk for severe illness during their second RSV season.

In a real-world study in Galicia, Spain, the first country in the world to introduce Beyfortus into its national immunization program, the drug reduced RSV-related hospitalizations in infants younger than six months by 82 percent.

“We are pleased to launch Beyfortus, the first RSV vaccine for full-term infants in Korea,” said Park Hee-kyung, head of Sanofi's Vaccines Division. “With RSV epidemics across the country, infants and children at high risk of infection can benefit from protection this season. Just as we have seen significant reductions in hospitalization rates overseas, we expect to see a reduction in the burden on families of infants and children here at home.”