Pfizer to Acquire ReViral and Its Respiratory Syncytial Virus Therapeutic Candidates

Pfizer announced on April 7, 2022 that it will acquire ReViral, a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Pfizer’s acquisition on ReViral would strengthen its capabilities in infectious disease research and development by utilizing ReViral’s R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization expertise.

The acquisition will also advance the company’s goal to address the significant unmet need for RSV treatments worldwide. RSV is a respiratory pathogen that can lead to severe and life-threatening lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in high-risk populations, including young infants, immunocompromised individuals, and older adults. According to the press release, the virus is estimated to cause infections in approximately 64 million people, resulting in about 160,000 deaths each year worldwide.

“Currently, treatment options for RSV are extremely limited and focus primarily on supportive care,” said Annaliesa Anderson, PhD, senior vice president and chief scientific officer, Bacterial Vaccines and Hospital, at Pfizer. “The proposed acquisition of ReViral’s pipeline of therapeutic candidates is complementary to our efforts to advance the first vaccine candidate to help protect against this harmful disease. Combining the capabilities and expertise of our organizations will enable us to further the clinical development of a potential therapy for those with RSV disease.”

“At Pfizer, we have a strong heritage in, and commitment to, fighting infectious diseases, most recently evidenced by our delivery of the first authorized vaccine and oral therapy to combat COVID-19,” said Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, in the press release. “We’re continuing to grow our pipeline—through our own research-and-development efforts, such as our investigational RSV vaccine programs, as well as strategic investments in companies like ReViral—with a focus on end-to-end capabilities to help protect patients from severe illness, hospitalization, and death.”

Source: Pfizer