Written by Michael Ehrman
(Reuters) – U.S. sales of GSK and Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus vaccine soared after regulators narrowed the age range and said it is now a once-in-a-lifetime shot for all but the millions of people who got it last year. high has decreased significantly.
Some independent pharmacists said demand for RSV shots during the fall vaccination season is down by two-thirds from a year ago. So far, the volumes reported by healthcare data firm IQVIA and published in multiple Wall Street analyst notes are roughly in line with that level.
The move is important for both Pfizer and GSK as they look to build new franchises before their best-selling drugs face generic competition later this decade.
Pfizer is also in a battle with activist investor Starboard Value, as weak demand for its coronavirus products has led to its stock price falling by about half from its pandemic highs. The New York-based drugmaker was also forced to announce two separate cost-cutting plans worth more than $5.5 billion.
CEO Albert Bourla said he was disappointed that the RSV vaccination Abrisvo would be released in 2023, but the company expressed optimism about a vaccine in the U.S. this year.
Erin Fox, a professor at the University of Utah who helps manage the school’s health system pharmacy, attributed the slowdown in RSV demand to the increase in eligible recipients compared to last year, when the government started in June. He pointed out that this was due to the decision to narrow down the scope.
“We’re going to see fewer patients in the clear category of needing the vaccine. With all the pent-up demand we’ve had, we’re definitely going to see a decline in the number of patients getting vaccinated going forward. ” said Fox.
Jefferies analyst Peter Welford said in a note last week that activity so far suggests GSK’s Alexby sales could fall below Wall Street expectations in the third quarter. said.
The RSV season usually begins in October.
A GSK spokesperson said 9 million Americans, or two-thirds of the market, have been vaccinated against RSV with Alexby, and the company sees strong growth opportunities in the U.S. and globally. said. According to U.S. estimates, about 24% of adults over 60 were vaccinated last year, including more than 30% of adults over 70.
“We continue to expect Alexby to generate peak annual sales of £3 billion ($3.92 billion),” a GSK spokesperson said.
Pfizer declined to comment for this story.
GSK maintains lead
Last September, an average of about 440,000 people per week received GSK or Pfizer’s RSV vaccine, and about 65% of them received GSK’s Alexvy, according to IQVIA data reported by analysts. In September this year, the average was about 157,000 people per week.
Major U.S. pharmacies, including CVS Health and Walgreens, declined to comment on their sales volumes.
David Cole of Kohl’s Pharmacy, which has multiple locations in Nebraska and Iowa, said vaccine appointments were down 65% in August and September compared to a year ago.
Steve Moore, a pharmacist and owner of Condo Pharmacy in Plattsburgh, N.Y., said sales volumes have declined even further.
“People who are pro-vaccine and excited about the vaccine have probably already gotten the vaccine,” Moore said.
Last year, his pharmacy administered most of its RSV vaccines at multi-person events. “We are preparing the first piece,” Moore said. “Instead of 80 people, we now have six.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the vaccine should be used by adults age 75 and older and people ages 60 to 74 whose medical conditions put them at higher risk for severe RSV. Last year, this age effectively became over 60.
Britain and Canada have also begun offering vaccinations to their citizens, with Britain targeting people aged 75 to 79 with the Pfizer vaccine.
Although the CDC classifies the shot as a one-time vaccine, both companies plan to submit further data on the benefits of revaccination.
GSK released data on Tuesday showing that Alexby remained around 43% effective at preventing severe disease through the third RSV season.
Last year, GSK captured two-thirds of the market, primarily through contracts with retail pharmacies. So far this year, Pfizer has maintained its dominant position, with the company gaining some share in recent weeks.
In 2023, GSK’s Alexvy contributed sales of 1.2 billion pounds ($1.57 billion), compared with $890 million for Pfizer’s Abrisvo. GSK’s sales are expected to fall slightly this year to around 1.15 billion pounds, while Pfizer’s sales are expected to rise by nearly 40% to $1.2 billion.
Moderna’s mResvia was approved in May, but it was approved too late to gain share in the largest pharmacies, so the company said the third market entry will keep pace with the other two. Ta.
“This is not a flu shot,” said BMO analyst Evan Sagerman. “You can’t get these shots over and over again. It’s not a pension.”
(Reporting by Michael Ehrman; Editing by Caroline Huemer and Bill Berkrot)
