Shirley Shin

Shirley Shin asked about Beyfortus's Q4 ordering trends, whether a 3Q/4Q equal split is still expected, the impact of competition (Merck), ex-U.S. opportunities, and the overall perspective for Beyfortus in 2026.

Answer

Thomas Triomphe (Head of Vaccines) confirmed Q4 Beyfortus guidance is expected to be similar to Q3. He noted Beyfortus achieved blockbuster status in 2024 and expects the U.S. vaccination coverage rate to increase from 55% (2024) to 70% (2025), highlighting Beyfortus's differentiation with a 71-day half-life and strong real-world evidence.

Shirley Shin questioned the Q4 ordering trends for Bayfortis, given Q3's impact from inventory carryover, and asked if a Q3/Q4 equal split is still expected. She also inquired about the impact of competition, particularly Merck's entry, on Q4 and 2026 performance, and opportunities in the ex-U.S. market.

Answer

Head of Vaccines Thomas Triomphe confirmed Q4 guidance for Bayfortis to be similar to Q3 globally. He noted Bayfortis was a blockbuster in 2024, with U.S. RSV coverage expected to increase from 55% in 2024 to 70% in 2025. He highlighted Bayfortis's differentiation, including its 71-day half-life, as a key factor for its favored status among U.S. prescribers.