Sanofi Completes the Acquisition of Protein Sciences

Sanofi recently announced it has completed the acquisition of Protein Sciences, a vaccines biotechnology company based in Meriden, CT. This completion follows Federal Trade Commission approval, having met all the conditions required for the closing of the transaction.

Through the acquisition, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi, adds a promising product to its influenza vaccine portfolio: Flublok (Influenza Vaccine), the only recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine approved by the US FDA. In October 2016, Protein Sciences received approval from the FDA for the quadrivalent version of Flublok vaccine (Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine), indicated for adults 18 years and older.

“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. The acquisition of Protein Sciences fits with Sanofi Pasteur’s strategic initiative to explore non-egg-based influenza vaccine manufacturing technologies. 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.”

Protein Sciences has 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.

“Older adults are at high risk of severe influenza and its complications, so it is exciting to see that in a recent clinical study in adults 50 years of age and older, individuals who received Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine were significantly less likely to get influenza than those who received a quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. Specifically, Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine, relative to the comparator, reduced the incidence of lab-confirmed influenza by 30% in this age group,” said David Loew.

Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine is approved for people 18 and older to prevent influenza disease. The most common side effects from Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine are pain and tenderness at the site of injection. Headache, fatigue or muscle ache may occur. Tell the doctor if you have ever experienced Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) or have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of Flublok vaccine. Vaccination with Flublok Quadrivalent Vaccine may not protect all individuals.
Please click here for the full US Prescribing Information.

Protein Sciences is a privately held biotech company established in 1983 and headquartered in Meriden, CT. Protein Sciences’ mission is to save lives and improve health through the creation of innovative vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will make an upfront payment of $650 million and pay up to $100 million upon achievement of certain milestones. In July, the acquisition was unanimously approved by the board of directors of Protein Sciences and a majority of Protein Sciences shareholders.

Sanofi Pasteur is the world’s largest manufacturer of influenza vaccines. In 2016, Sanofi Pasteur confirmed its leadership by completing a production of 200 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine, i.e. approximately 40% of influenza vaccines distributed worldwide. Sanofi Pasteur produces vaccines against seasonal influenza on its four sites: Swiftwater (Pennsylvania, United States), Val-de-Reuil (France), Ocoyoacac (Mexico City, Mexico) and Shenzhen (China).

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi is organized into five global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Consumer Healthcare.