Sanofi Pasteur reorganises vaccine partnership with Crucell

Sanofi Pastuer has agreed a deal to restructure its longstanding vaccine development partnership with infectious disease specialist Crucell.

Under the terms of the new arrangements, Sanofi Pasteur has agreed to return the worldwide commercial rights to the cell-based influenza vaccine FluCell, which it has held since 2003.

In return, Crucell has agreed to waive its option to terminate a licence agreement between the company and Sanofi Pasteur subsidiary Shantha Biotechnics, which centres on developing Haemophilus influenzae b vaccines for children.

Crucell has welcomed the agreement of both new arrangements, adding that it has also made progress in its joint project with Sanofi Pasteur to develop rabies antibodies.

Jerald Sadoff, Crucell’s chief medical officer, said: “This progress with the next generation rabies treatment brings us closer to the moment when all in need will get adequate treatment against rabies.”

Last month, Sanofi Pasteur agreed a new partnership with cell-based therapy specialist Vivalis on the creation of new treatments for infectious disease.