The PIPELINE-RSV trial, sponsored by Penta, will compare existing prevention options given during pregnancy and early infancy, helping researchers understand which approach offers the strongest and longest lasting protection.

Dr Eva Galiza, senior clinical research fellow and study lead from City St George's, University of London, said: ‘RSV affects thousands of families every year, yet we still have important questions about how to best protect the youngest infants. This study is an exciting opportunity to build the robust evidence needed to guide future care.

‘We're proud to lead this vital work funded by the European Union, which has the potential to benefit families across the UK and beyond.'

Across Europe, the RSV study will recruit 1,500 pregnant women from the UK, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, with a parallel study in France expected to enrol a further 1,000 participants.