Sanofi Acquires Influenza Vaccine Developer Protein Sciences
French drug giant Sanofi has now announced completion of the process of acquisition of Protein Sciences, a vaccines biotechnology company based in Meriden.
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi, through the acquisition adds a promising product to its influenza vaccine portfolio: Flublok (Influenza Vaccine), the only recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Protein Sciences had earlier developed the baculovirus expression system technology (B.E.S.T.) platform for the production of recombinant proteins. On this basis, they have developed and commercialized Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine, a recombinant influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization of adults 18 years of age and older against seasonal influenza. In October 2016, Protein Sciences received approval from the FDA for the quadrivalent version of Flublok vaccine.
“We are thrilled to welcome the talented employees and assets of Protein Sciences within Sanofi Pasteur,” said David Loew, Sanofi Executive Vice President and head of Sanofi Pasteur. “The addition of Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine represents a very attractive opportunity to complement our influenza vaccines portfolio.”
“This acquisition is consistent with our strategic ambition of expanding our presence in the respiratory vaccine market, and builds on the recently announced collaboration on an investigational respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody,”
added David Loew.
