OBJECTIVE: The use of exogenous surfactants among preterm infants for the 
prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has led to 
economic and cost-effectiveness evaluations of these products. Lucinactant 
(Surfaxin), a novel, peptide-based, synthetic surfactant, has been shown to 
significantly reduce RDS-related mortality, compared with the most commonly 
prescribed animal-derived surfactant, beractant (Survanta). Infants who survive 
expend significant healthcare resources; therefore, the impact of improved 
survival through 1-year corrected age was evaluated in a prospectively defined 
pharmacoeconomic analysis. The objectives of this study were to estimate the 
healthcare resource utilization, economic impact, and cost-effectiveness of 
lucinactant versus beractant for the prevention of RDS among surviving very low 
birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants weighing 600 to 1250 grams.
METHODS: A decision-analytic model was developed to compare the healthcare 
resource utilization, economic impact, and cost-effectiveness of lucinactant 
versus beractant.
RESULTS: Infants who received lucinactant had fewer neonatal intensive care unit 
(NICU) days and fewer NICU days on mechanical ventilation compared with infants 
who received beractant. Total healthcare costs for the initial stay in the NICU 
were lower by $8,803 among infants who received lucinactant compared with 
infants who received beractant. The incremental cost per life saved was $40,309 
for lucinactant compared with beractant.
CONCLUSIONS: Administration of lucinactant to surviving VLBW preterm infants 
resulted in fewer NICU days and fewer NICU days on mechanical ventilation 
compared with beractant. Fewer NICU days translates into lower total costs among 
infants who received lucinactant. This comprehensive pharmacoeconomic analysis 
indicates that lucinactant is a cost-effective therapy for the prevention of RDS 
among preterm infants.