Motavizumab

Motavizumab is a monoclonal antibody designed for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in pediatric patients at high risk of RSV disease. It was developed by MedImmune, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca.

History

Motavizumab was developed as a successor to Palivizumab, another monoclonal antibody used to prevent RSV infection. It was designed to have a higher affinity for the F protein of RSV, which is the primary target of the immune response to the virus.

Mechanism of Action

Motavizumab works by binding to the F protein on the surface of the RSV virus. This prevents the virus from entering cells and replicating, thereby preventing infection. The F protein is a fusion protein, which allows the virus to enter cells by causing the viral and cellular membranes to fuse together.

Clinical Trials

Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Motavizumab. In a Phase III trial, Motavizumab was found to be as effective as Palivizumab in preventing hospitalization due to RSV infection. However, it did not show a significant improvement over Palivizumab in terms of reducing the overall incidence of RSV infection.

Regulatory Status

In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve Motavizumab, citing concerns about the risk of skin reactions and anaphylaxis. MedImmune subsequently withdrew its application for approval.

See Also

• Monoclonal antibodies
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Palivizumab
• MedImmune
• AstraZeneca