MedImmune Funds Study to Help Gain Insights Into Full Burden of RSV Disease Among...

MedImmune Funds Study to Help Gain Insights Into Full Burden of RSV Disease
Among Premature Infants

Prospective Study Seeks to Assess RSV Burden in Outpatient Setting During
First Year of Life; Reinforcing Commitment to Pediatric Research

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- MedImmune continues to advance its
commitment to pediatric research with today's announcement of the first
observational prospective study designed to assess the burden of respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) among preterm infants 32-to-35 weeks gestational age
(GA) in outpatient settings during their first year of life.

The study also seeks to gather virology data regarding the national onset of
the RSV season across the four geographic regions established by the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Additionally, this two-year
observational study will look to identify the preterm infants that may be most
susceptible to serious RSV infection and the factors that may elevate that
risk.

"More than 98 percent of all children contract RSV before their second
birthday. Some of these children will be hospitalized and for many more, the
severity of the infection forces them to visit a healthcare provider or
hospital clinic on an outpatient basis," said Jessie Groothuis, M.D.,
MedImmune vice president, medical and scientific affairs, infectious disease.
"The intent of this first-of-its-kind prospective study is to add to the body
of evidence surrounding RSV burden of disease; gaining a snapshot of when the
RSV season starts and stops; as well as gathering insight into what risk
factors may make preterm infants most susceptible to RSV infection and to
serious RSV-related illness."

She went on to say that this information may help pediatricians, payers and
health policy makers make better decisions regarding the use of finite
healthcare resources on behalf of under-represented and under-served 32-to-35
weeks (GA) preterm infants.

This observational, prospective study will cover two consecutive RSV seasons
and begin patient enrollment in fall 2009, with a target of 3,000 participants
across 100 outpatient sites in the United States. The study population will
include infants born 32-to-35 weeks (GA) who do not receive RSV prophylaxis
during their first RSV season.

About RSV
Each year, up to 125,000 infants in the United States are hospitalized with
severe RSV infections, the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections
in U.S. infants. RSV is the most common respiratory infection in infancy or
childhood. Approximately one-half of all infants are infected with RSV during
the first year of life, and nearly all children have been infected at least
once by the time they reach their second birthday. Children born prematurely
as well as those with chronic lung disease (CLD) or congenital heart disease
(CHD) are at highest risk for severe disease and hospitalization due to RSV.
The virus may also cause severe illness in other high-risk groups.

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that RSV
accounts for one of every 13 visits to a pediatrician, one of every 38
emergency room trips, and inpatient hospital stays for one out of every 334
children.

About MedImmune
MedImmune, the worldwide biologics business for AstraZeneca PLC (LSE: AZN.L,
NYSE: AZN), has approximately 3,100 employees worldwide and is headquartered
in Gaithersburg, Maryland. With an advancing pipeline of promising candidates,
we aim to be the next revolutionary force in biotechnology by delivering
life-changing products, industry-leading performance, and a tireless
commitment to improving patient health. For more information, visit
MedImmune's website at www.medimmune.com.

SOURCE MedImmune

Tor Constantino of MedImmune, +1-301-398-5801, constantinos@medimmune.com