Pfizer said a late-stage trial in adults aged 60 years and older demonstrated that its vaccine was safe and effective at preventing serious disease from the virus. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/ReutersPfizer has said it will seek approval for a vaccine targeting respiratory syncytial virus in older adults after reporting positive trial data as rival groups race to develop a jab for a market that analysts estimate will generate up to $10 billion of annual sales.
An application for regulatory approval will be submitted in the autumn, said Pfizer, which is hunting for new ways to boost revenues as sales of Covid-19 vaccines begin to moderate. The virus is one of the few major infectious diseases without a vaccine, although recent scientific advances have encouraged four large pharmaceutical companies — Pfizer, GSK, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna — to undertake late-stage trials of potential jabs.
J&J expects to publish late-stage clinical data for its vaccine in the coming months as does Moderna, which is aiming to develop a single “multivalent” jab that would protect against RSV, influenza and Covid-19.