Merck's RSV therapy meets main goal of study in infants

[July 23, 2024]  (Reuters) -Merck said on Tuesday an antibody-based drug met the main goal of a mid-to-late stage trial testing it as a therapy to protect infants from disease caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.

The drug, MK-1654, helped reduce the incidence of lower respiratory infection in infants compared to placebo, and met the safety goals of the study, Merck said.

RSV is a contagious virus that can lead to serious respiratory conditions such as pneumonia. According to the company, it causes an estimated 101,000 deaths a year worldwide in children under five.

(Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)

Signage is seen at the Merck & Co. headquarters in Kenilworth, New Jersey, U.S., November 13, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

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