? SK-Sanofi launches RSV preventive antibody injection for all infants under 12 months.

? RSV, a major cause of hospitalization in infants... Beyfortus® expands globally.

? Korean specialists emphasize the need for national-level administration for effective RSV prevention in infants.

Korea has begun administering RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) preventive antibody injections for all newborns and infants under 12 months. Now, nationwide hospitals and clinics will offer protection against RSV, a highly contagious virus that infects 90% of children under the age of two.

SK Bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced on the 14th that it has started supplying ´Beyfortus®,´ an RSV preventive antibody injection, in Korea through its partnership with the Korean branch of the global healthcare company Sanofi.

Beyfortus® is the only RSV preventive antibody injection available for all newborns and infants under 12 months. It offers protection for at least five months, allowing a single dose to cover the entire RSV season. It will be available at major hospitals and clinics nationwide for newborns and infants experiencing their first RSV season (October-March) and for children under 24 months at high risk of severe RSV infection during their second RSV season.

RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in infants, commonly causing lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Studies indicate that 90% of children worldwide contract RSV before the age of two. The younger a child is when infected, the longer the recovery period, and the greater the risk of developing asthma, underscoring the importance of prevention and early treatment.

Since receiving its initial approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2022, Beyfortus® has been authorized in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries and has been incorporated into various national immunization programs. In the U.S., it is provided free of charge to eligible infants through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in March last year that Beyfortus® was 90% effective in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations. Additionally, in Galicia, Spain, Beyfortus® was introduced as part of the national immunization program in late September 2023, leading to an 82% reduction in RSV-related hospitalizations over three months.

Shin Bong-sik, President of the Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, stated, "The introduction of the RSV antibody injection marks a significant step in protecting infants and high-risk groups. We welcome this initiative and strongly encourage parents to participate in vaccination for their children´s health." He emphasized, "RSV can have severe effects on newborns, making prevention crucial. To enhance RSV prevention, integrating this vaccine into the national immunization program is necessary."