GSK RSV vaccine shows potential to help protect broader group of adults

Drugmaker GSK said on Thursday that new data for its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine showed potential to help protect a broader group of adults at increased risk for RSV disease.

GSK said a single dose of Arexvy elicited a "robust immune response" with an acceptable safety profile in adults aged 18-49 at increased risk for RSV-LRTD, while two doses of the vaccine in immunocompromised adults aged 18 and above elicited immune responses similar to one dose in healthy adults aged 50+ and with an acceptable safety profile.

The FTSE 100-listed company highlighted that the vaccine was currently approved for use in adults aged 60 and above in over 50 countries, and in adults aged 50-59 at increased risk in a number of countries including the US and Europe. It also noted that in the US alone, adults aged 18-49 with at least one risk factor for RSV disease could exceed 21.0m.

Chief scientific officer Tony Wood said: " These promising data add to the evidence supporting GSK's RSV vaccine and could help expand protection to more adults at risk from RSV disease. They also provide valuable insights into the potential impact of a second dose for certain populations. We're committed to working with health authorities and regulators to help adults at increased risk of RSV disease benefit from vaccination."

As of 0840 BST, GSK shares were up 0.45% at 1,454.50p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com