Sanofi gains access to recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine.

Connecticut-based vaccine developer Protein Sciences has agreed to be acquired by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi for an initial $650 million and up to $100 million in additional milestone payments. Protein Sciences will be incorporated into Sanofi’s Sanofi Pasteur business unit, which manufactures influenza vaccines in the US, France, Mexico and China. (Sanofi has four other global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi Genzyme and Consumer Healthcare.)

With the acquisition of Protein Sciences, Sanofi adds recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine technology to its portfolio of influenza vaccine technologies. Protein Sciences’ Flublok^® Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIV), received FDA approval in October 2016 and is the only FDA-approved recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine, according to Sanofi.

Flublok contains pure protein that is produced without using any infectious influenza virus, antibiotics, eggs, thimerosal, preservatives, gelatin or latex. The vaccine protects against four different influenza strains and has three times as much active ingredient as other quadrivalent vaccines on the market, according to Protein Sciences, making it well-suited for seniors and others with reduced immune system activity. The vaccine is approved for use in people 18 and older.

“The acquisition of Protein Sciences will allow us to broaden our flu portfolio with the addition of a non-egg based vaccine,” said David Loew, Sanofi Executive Vice President and Head of Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi’s vaccines division.

Added Manon M.J. Cox, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protein Sciences: “Protein Sciences was actively looking for an opportunity to grow its business, particularly in the US. As part of Sanofi Pasteur, we expect our Flublok^® influenza vaccine to benefit from Sanofi Pasteur’s expertise in the field of influenza vaccines.”

The board of directors of Protein Sciences has unanimously approved the deal, as have a majority of Protein Sciences shareholders. As a result, following regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to be finalized sometime in the third quarter of 2017.