Sanofi and Novavax Form Strategic Alliance to Enhance Vaccine Accessibility

Sanofi and Novavax announced a new licensing agreement to co-commercialize a COVID-19 vaccine and develop combination vaccines against flu and COVID-19. This partnership aims to expand availability of a protein-based non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine from 2025. Jean-Francois Toussaint, the Global Head of Vaccines R&D at Sanofi, emphasized the synergy between Novavax's adjuvanted vaccine and Sanofi’s flu vaccines, which could improve convenience and protection against respiratory viruses.

John Jacobs, CEO of Novavax, highlighted the importance of this collaboration for public health. The partnership will leverage Novavax's technologies and Sanofi's expertise in vaccine commercialization to widen access to effective vaccines. Financially, the terms of the agreement involve an upfront payment from Sanofi to Novavax of $500 million with potential earnings totaling up to $1.2 billion.