Breakthrough Clinical Results
AstraZeneca has launched FluMist Home, a first-of-its-kind at-home delivery service for its FLUMIST® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) nasal spray flu vaccine. This FDA-approved service allows eligible adults (18-49) to self-administer the vaccine or caregivers to administer it to children (2-17). The service involves an online medical screening, prescription, and direct-to-home delivery. FluMist Home aims to increase flu vaccination rates by offering a convenient, needle-free alternative, particularly relevant after a severe 2024-2025 flu season. The service is currently available in 34 states, with plans to expand nationwide.
Key Highlights
- Launch of FluMist Home, an at-home delivery service for FLUMIST nasal spray flu vaccine.
- FDA approval for self- or caregiver-administration of FLUMIST.
- Convenient, needle-free option for flu vaccination.
- Increased accessibility to improve flu vaccination rates.
Incidence and Prevalence
Global Incidence and Prevalence of Influenza
According to the most recent data from 2022, influenza virus infections cause 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and approximately 290,000 to 645,000 deaths annually worldwide. This significant global burden is often underestimated in many countries, which contributes to generally low immunization rates.
In specific regions, the impact varies considerably. In Germany, between 5,000 and 20,000 individuals die from severe influenza infections annually, based on 2006 data. A 2020 study in Guatemala found that 6% of pharmacy visitors self-reported influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms, with 45% of these cases meeting the formal ILI case definition.
Research from 2022 examining nasopharyngeal specimens from patients with acute respiratory illnesses detected at least one respiratory virus in 46.1% of patients, with 4.6% co-infected with multiple viruses. In this study, Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the most prevalent virus (16.1%), followed by rhinoviruses (8.1%) and RSV (6.7%).
Transmission dynamics research from 2018 revealed that influenza virus shedding is highly heterogeneous, with a small proportion (<20%) of infected individuals responsible for producing 95% of infectious particles.
Regional patterns show significant variations. In Poland during the 2017-2018 season, virus type B predominated in 13 out of 16 provinces. In Hong Kong, influenza shows clear seasonal patterns with peaks typically occurring in February and July, with summer peaks generally caused by the H3 subtype of influenza A.
Studies from East and Southeast Asia using improved laboratory testing methods reported that 11-26% of outpatient febrile illness and 6-14% of hospitalized pneumonia cases had laboratory-confirmed influenza infection.
Age-specific hospitalization rates in Hong Kong vary significantly, with the highest rates among those aged 0-14 years (163.3 per 100,000) and 75+ years (266 per 100,000). Influenza was also associated with hospitalization for cerebrovascular disease in those over 75 years, ischemic heart disease in age groups 40-64 and over 75 years, and diabetes mellitus for all age groups older than 40 years.
Global influenza patterns show cycles of 1 year with the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and 2 years with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indices, suggesting climate factors influence worldwide influenza patterns.
The World Health Organisation warns that a new influenza pandemic is inevitable, though the virus type and timing remain uncertain, highlighting the ongoing global threat posed by influenza viruses.
Drug used in other indications
FLUMIST Clinical Trials for Non-Influenza Indications
Based on a comprehensive review of available information, there is no evidence that FLUMIST (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) is currently being trialed for any indications other than influenza prevention.
The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) marketed as FLUMIST appears to be exclusively studied for its primary indication - the prevention of seasonal influenza. Despite extensive research into various vaccine applications, no clinical trials investigating FLUMIST for alternative therapeutic uses or off-label applications have been identified.
Without ongoing trials for non-influenza indications, there are consequently no intervention models or dosing regimens to report for such applications. The current research landscape for FLUMIST remains focused on its established role in influenza prophylaxis rather than exploring novel clinical applications.
The absence of expanded indications for FLUMIST contrasts with some other vaccine platforms that have been repurposed or investigated for multiple disease targets. While the intranasal delivery system of FLUMIST offers potential advantages that could theoretically be leveraged for other respiratory or mucosal immunizations, no formal clinical investigation in this direction appears to be underway.
For patients or clinicians interested in alternative applications of FLUMIST, it's important to note that any use outside of influenza prevention would currently be considered experimental and not supported by clinical trial evidence.
The regulatory approval for FLUMIST remains specific to influenza prevention, with no indication of pending applications or investigations for expanded use cases in the clinical trial pipeline.
AstraZeneca Drug Approvals in the Last Three Years
Based on a comprehensive review of available information, there is insufficient data to determine which specific indications AstraZeneca has received drug approvals for in the last three years (2021-2024).
The only mention of AstraZeneca in the available information states that "AstraZeneca (Cambridge, UK) announced that it has out-licensed two non-core drugs to Grunenthal (Aachen, German)." However, this statement does not provide any details about regulatory approvals or new indications for AstraZeneca's pharmaceutical portfolio.
While there is information about various FDA approvals for other companies' drugs, including: - Atezolizumab and pembrolizumab for urothelial carcinoma - Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) including Enfortumab Vedotin and Sacituzumab Govitecan for metastatic urothelial carcinoma - Revisions to capecitabine prescribing information
None of these approvals are specifically attributed to AstraZeneca as the manufacturer or sponsor.
The available information also covers various therapeutic areas such as: - Heart failure treatments in Japan - Neurological conditions and physician payments - Prostate cancer drugs - Treatments for age-related macular degeneration - Brain tumor-related epilepsy treatments - Ultra-orphan drugs and their budget impact - Multiple myeloma treatments - Diabetes medications and outcomes-based contracts - Hypertension control in Nigeria - Generic drug development for rare diseases
However, there is no specific mention of AstraZeneca receiving regulatory approvals for any novel pharmaceutical agents or expanded indications of existing medications between 2021-2024 in these therapeutic areas.
Without additional information about AstraZeneca's recent regulatory approvals across major markets like the FDA, EMA, or other international regulatory bodies, it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of indications for which AstraZeneca has received drug approvals in the last three years.