Sanofi Pasteur granted EMA recommendation for Hexaxim

Sanofi Pasteur has been granted a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its new multipurpose paediatric vaccine therapy Hexaxim.

The six-in-one treatment is the first ever vaccine to receive a recommendation from the EMA as part of its procedure for evaluating medicinal products intended for use outside the EU.

Hexaxim is the only fully liquid, ready-to-use product that offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and invasive infections caused by haemophilus influenzae type B.

It has demonstrated efficacy in phase III clinical trials against all six targeted diseases and helps to reduce the total number of injections infant patients need to undergo.

Olivier Charmeil, president and chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur, said: "Upon licensure we intend to introduce Hexaxim in countries looking for improved and effective solutions in particular for public immunisation programmes."

Earlier this month, the firm's parent organisation Sanofi announced a new alliance with the Joslin Diabetes Center, which will see them jointly researching innovative new diabetes therapies.