GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) is looking to extend the regulatory approval of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Arexvy, to include adults between the ages of 50 and 59. This move comes during a period of U.S. shortages of new RSV products from other manufacturers in the first respiratory virus season with approved RSV vaccines.
Despite a tepid recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccines advisory committee, there has been a robust uptake of older adult RSV vaccines, including those produced by GSK and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE). Meanwhile, supplies of Beyfortus, an infant RSV prevention shot developed by Sanofi (EPA:SASY) (NASDAQ:SNY) and AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN), remain limited. The CDC has advised doctors to prioritize these doses for infants at the highest risk of RSV infection.
The strong demand for RSV prophylactics indicates that these products could become significant sources of revenue for their respective companies. GSK estimates peak sales of Arexvy to exceed £3 billion ($3.6 billion), while Pfizer anticipates peak sales of its vaccine, Abrysvo, to surpass $2 billion annually.
Jefferies analysts reported that Pfizer’s vaccine has captured about 35% of the market share, with GSK’s Arexvy making up the remainder. Investors will have the opportunity to gain more insight into the rollout of these RSV vaccines when Pfizer and GSK disclose their third-quarter earnings next week.
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