J&J drops out of RSV vaccine race with Pfizer and GSK.

Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical division, Janssen, has halted the development of a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults, despite promising results in phase II trials. The vaccine was 70% effective at preventing RSV infection with one symptom and 80% effective at preventing more severe illness due to RSV. The decision comes after a portfolio review and an assessment of the RSV vaccine landscape, and shortly after rival drugmakers Pfizer and GSK posted positive results for RSV vaccine candidates targeted to older adults.