Palivizumab

Palivizumab
Monoclonal antibody
TypeWhole antibody
SourceHumanized (from mouse)
TargetRSV protein F
Clinical data
Trade namesSynagis
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa698034
License data
Routes of
administration
Intramuscular
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)
  • US: ℞-only
  • EU: Rx-only
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Elimination half-life18-20 days
Identifiers
CAS Number
DrugBank
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC6470H10056N1700O2008S50
Molar mass145388.51 g·mol−1
 NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Palivizumab, sold under the brand name Synagis, is a monoclonal antibody produced by recombinant DNA technology used to prevent severe disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. It is recommended for infants at high-risk for RSV due to conditions such as prematurity or other medical problems including heart or lung diseases.

The most common side effects include fever and rash.

Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG) directed against an epitope in the A antigenic site of the F protein of RSV. In two phase III clinical trials in the pediatric population, palivizumab reduced the risk of hospitalization due to RSV infection by 55% and 45%. Palivizumab is dosed once a month via intramuscular (IM) injection to be administered throughout the RSV season, which tends to start in late autumn or early winter in temperate climates and follows more complicated seasonal patterns in tropical regions.

Palivizumab targets the fusion protein of RSV, inhibiting its entry into the cell and thereby preventing infection. Palivizumab was approved for medical use in 1998.