Monoclonal Antibody Failed to Prevent Influenza A Illness

Vir Biotechnology, Inc. today announced that the Phase 2 clinical trial (PENINSULA) evaluating VIR-2482 for preventing symptomatic influenza A illness did not meet primary or secondary efficacy endpoints.

In participants who received the highest dose of the investigational hemagglutinin-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb) VIR-2482 (1,200 mg), a non-statistically significant reduction of approximately 16% in influenza A protocol-defined illness was observed.

And participants who received the highest dose showed an approximately 57% reduction in symptomatic influenza A illness when defined according to U.S. CDC influenza-like-illness criteria, which was one of two secondary endpoints.

VIR-2482 was generally well tolerated, and no safety signals were identified.

“We are grateful to all who participated in this trial, and we remain committed to the pursuit of novel therapies that have the potential to address some of the world’s most serious infectious diseases,” said Marianne De Backer, M.Sc., Ph.D., MBA, Vir’s Chief Executive Officer, in a press release issued on July 2023.

The PENINSULA trial has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

As of July 20, 2023, about 95 million influenza vaccines were being distributed in the U.S. The U.S. CDC recommends an annual flu shot for most people, which is offered at most health clinics and community pharmacies in the U.S.