ReViral

History

2022: Pfizer bought ReViral for $525 million

On April 7, 2022, it became known that Pfizer agreed to purchase a developer of antiviral drugs for the treatment of respiratory diseases ReViral for $525 million, which was another step of the vaccine manufacturer Covid-19 in the market for infectious disease control technologies.

The British ReViral is developing antiviral drugs. It also creates treatments for respiratory syncytial virus, a common lung disease. The proposed deal amount depends on closing terms, including obtaining regulatory approval, Pfizer officials said.

Pfizer bought ReViral for $525 million

Pfizer sees a growing market for vaccines targeting RSV, which is particularly dangerous for young children, immunocompromised people, and the elderly. Among older people in the USA, RSV is the cause of 177 thousand hospitalizations and 14 thousand deaths per year. In March 2022, one of Pfizer's drugs received the status of breakthrough therapy against RSV, which is already undergoing clinical trials.

Currently, the possibilities for treating RSV are extremely limited and are reduced mainly to supportive therapy - said in a statement by Annalisa Anderson, chief scientist at the Department of Bacterial Vaccines and Pfizer Hospital Department. The proposed acquisition of the company's therapeutic drug line ReViral complements our efforts to promote the first vaccine candidate to protect against this dangerous disease.

The company's candidate drug portfolio ReViral includes sisunatovir, an orally administered drug designed to block the attachment of RSV to cells. During trials at intermediate stages, it reduced the viral burden in adults, and its use is also being studied among infants.^[1]

Notes