Fever, cough, sneezing… The symptoms resemble those of the flu or Covid-19. But unlike these two diseases, no vaccine is yet available against bronchiolitis. This bronchial infection is often due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It affects 30% of children under two each year, usually in a mild way, according to the Ministry of Health.
Despite popular belief, bronchiolitis is not just a matter of infants. It also infects the elderly. In this case, it is much more dangerous, because it can cause respiratory distress. It would thus lead to 270,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths per year among people over 60 in Europe alone, according to the British pharmaceutical giant GSK. To better prevent this risk, several laboratories are currently working on vaccines and treatments. L’Express takes stock of the latest advances.
The GSK vaccine
The very first vaccine against the RSV responsible for bronchiolitis is called Arexvy. Developed by the British company GSK, it was approved on May 3 by the United States. The American Medicines Agency (FDA) has authorized its prescription for adults aged 60 and over.
In Europe too, Arexvy is off to a good start: it received a favorable opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) at the end of April. The final decision of the European Commission is expected in the coming months. GSK therefore hopes for an authorization before next winter, at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.
For now, the FDA validation is based on a clinical trial involving approximately 25,000 participants. The vaccine was found to be 83% effective in preventing lower respiratory tract infections. Side effects were mainly fatigue, muscle aches or headaches.
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
GSK is not the only one to have embarked on the race for vaccines. For this market, which promises to be lucrative, the American companies Pfizer and Moderna are each developing their own candidate. Pfizer said it expects an FDA decision on its approval in May. At the same time, he is developing a product intended this time for pregnant women, in order to protect newborns from serious forms of bronchiolitis.
On the Moderna side, the laboratory unveiled positive results in January for a vaccine targeting the over 60s. It intends to submit its application for regulatory clearance in multiple regions, including Europe, by mid-2023, for potential winter marketing.
Sanofi preventive treatment
To protect the little ones, a treatment has been developed jointly by the French company Sanofi and the Swedish-British group AstraZeneca. Called Beyfortus, it is not a vaccine, but still works preventively. One dose is enough to protect babies under one year old.
The Beyfortus received the green light from the European Commission in November. It is, to date, the only preventive treatment authorized against bronchiolitis and intended for newborns. The product must now be validated in each of the 27 Member States. Contacted by L’Express, Sanofi said it was aiming for marketing before winter.