Pfizer (PFE) Acquires ReViral for $525M to Strengthen RSV Endeavour

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), the US biopharmaceutical company known more recently for developing a global Covid-19 vaccine, has announced today its intention on acquiring ReViral, a UK-based biopharmaceutical company known for its work on novel antiviral therapeutics targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

The total value of the deal has been publicized at around $525M; this includes upfront and development milestones. As usual with acquisitions, the proposition is still subject to customary closing conditions such as the receipt of regulatory approvals.

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This is the latest move from Pfizer as the company continues its aggressive portfolio expansion. Acquiring ReViral will strengthen the company’s existing capabilities in infectious disease research and development, whilst creating a specific focus on improving patient outcomes through treatment for RSV via vaccination. 

ReViral is well-positioned for its work toward RSV, boasting a strong portfolio of therapeutic candidates including sisunatovir, an oral treatment designed to block fusion of the RSV virus to the host cell. The treatment has seen promising degrees of success; significantly reducing viral load in healthy adults in ReViral’s phase 2 RSV human challenge study. The development of sisunatovir is expected to continue in adult and pediatric populations and has already been granted fast track designation by the FDA.

It’s not surprising that RSV is on the radar of Pfizer. The respiratory pathogen causes infections of around 64M per year, normally resulting in around 160,000 annual deaths, including young infants and high-risk populations. Pzifer’s acquisition of ReViral should bolster the operational process and ensure that the necessary treatment reaches the market after validation from clinical trials.