Earlier this month, Alnylam initiated its first phase I study in Europe and received clearance of its investigational new drug application by the FDA.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that causes infections in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. RSV infects nearly every child at least once by the age of two years and is a major cause of hospitalization due to respiratory infection in children and people with compromised immune systems.
“ALN-RSV01 has the potential to be a novel approach for the treatment of RSV, an area where an effective anti-viral is clearly needed,” said Dr John Maraganore, president and CEO of Alnylam.
RSV infection typically results in cold-like symptoms but can lead to more serious respiratory illness such as croup and pneumonia, bronchiolitis.