My Journey to Being All In to Help Protect Infants Against Serious RSV Lung Infection

By Chris Sremanak, U.S. Head of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Franchise Marketing

Growing up, my father worked in the pharmaceutical industry. I saw how rewarding it was for him, how it wasn’t just a “job.” This inspired my own pursuit of a career that would grant me a sense of purpose, thus I too found myself seeking out opportunities in the same space.

The way I see it is – we spend so much of our lives working; why not devote that time to making as great of an impact as possible on as many lives as possible. That drive to make a difference shaped how I advanced my career and ultimately led me to immunizations.

With twenty years in pharma, and nearly a decade of that fighting for innovation in and access to preventative health, I’m energized by Sanofi’s “Play to Win" Culture and excited by the prospect of what I do each day to help babies, their families and providers.  

Purpose fueled by passion.

Entering the world of immunizations leveled up my sense of purpose to also include a deep passion. I see immunization as a fundamental part of public health. I’ve had the privilege of working on an array of different types, yet the story is consistent: preventive interventions can impact the paradigm of a disease. Right now, there’s no greater example of this than for babies who are impacted by serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

For nearly 60 years, prevention of RSV infection in broad populations had eluded scientists. To think there are now interventions for the two groups most plagued by the consequences of it – older adults and infants – is awe inspiring. To me it communicates a resolve to never give up, to keep going. Which is a mindset I’m bringing to my role at Sanofi.

Until last year, the needs in protection for babies against RSV were vast. Many are surprised to learn that – although severe RSV is rare – it’s the leading cause of hospitalization in babies under age 1, and babies are actually 16 times more likely to be hospitalized with RSV lung infection than with the flu. ^1,2

2023 was a significant moment for RSV and infectious disease as two different methods of preventing infant serious RSV lung infection became available, including Beyfortus® (nirsevimab-alip) 50 mg and 100 mg Injection. Beyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by RSV in:

• Newborns and babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season.
• Children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.

Beyfortus should not be given to children with a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-alip or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus. Beyfortus may not protect all children. See below for additional Important Safety Information.

I saw the promise of Beyfortus and Sanofi's vision to help protect one of the most vulnerable populations as possible against RSV, and felt that intersection of purpose and passion being fully realized. 

Striving for more.

Moments like these can take us beyond purpose and passion to something perhaps even more profound: responsibility. That’s why we have put together a detailed gameplan for meeting the demand for Beyfortus in its second season, ensuring all sites of care can deliver the protection babies need, and that expectant and new parents can feel confident – and proud – in making the decision to immunize their baby. We can help win by meeting providers, health systems and families where they are; supported by a strong implementation and education approach, meaningful data and the fact that Beyfortus is already shipping now ahead of season. Because of this, I am filled with hope.

I’m proud to be doing this with my team at Sanofi, who has helped evolve the RSV prevention landscape for babies. It’s heartening to be part of an organization that is breaking down silos and helping close immunization gaps.

With the next RSV season just around the corner, let’s together fulfill our purpose, passion and sense of responsibility to help protect the most vulnerable among us.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Your child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-alip or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus.

Before your child receives Beyfortus, tell your healthcare provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if your child:

• has ever had a reaction to Beyfortus.
• has bleeding or bruising problems. If your child has a problem with bleeding or bruises easily, an injection could cause a problem.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines your child takes, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your infant should not receive a medicine called palivizumab if they have already received Beyfortus in the same RSV season.

Serious allergic reactions have happened with Beyfortus. Get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

• swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• unresponsiveness
• bluish color of skin, lips, or under fingernails
• muscle weakness
• severe rash, hives, or itching

The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your child’s injection. These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects.

INDICATION

Beyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in:

• Newborns and babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season.
• Children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for more details.