Sanofi Pasteur’s quadrivalent flu vaccine accepted for EU review

Sanofi Pasteur has announced that a decentralised European marketing authorisation application has been accepted for a quadrivalent formulation of its influenza vaccine Vaxigrip.

The seasonal inactivated split-virion flu vaccine will be reassessed after adding a fourth influenza virus strain to help ensure that it provides the widest possible coverage and protection against the illness.

Including two A strains and two B strains corresponding to both of the B lineages, the newest version of the vaccine will help to address the circulation of more diverse forms of influenza seen in the last few years.

If approved, the product will be commercialized in western European countries by the joint venture organisation Sanofi Pasteur MSD.

Olivier Charmeil, president and chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur, said: "The inclusion in the seasonal influenza vaccine of the four influenza viruses anticipated to circulate in the forthcoming season has the potential to reduce the risk of influenza disease and influenza-related complications."

Earlier this week, the company allied with China's Xiamen University to carry out studies that could potentially lead to the creation of a universal flu vaccine candidate.