In a major move to advance next-generation respiratory virus vaccines, Sanofi has announced its agreement to acquire Vicebio Ltd., a privately-held biotech company based in London, UK. The deal includes an initial cash payment of $1.15 billion (€980 million), with additional milestone-based payments of up to $450 million linked to development and regulatory progress.
Commenting on the acquisition, Emmanuel Hanon, CEO of Vicebio, said:
“We are excited to become part of Sanofi. Their global reach and proven track record in vaccine innovation offer the ideal platform to unlock the full potential of our breakthrough technologies.”
The acquisition gives Sanofi access to Vicebio’s early-stage combination vaccine candidate targeting two major respiratory viruses: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Both viruses are common causes of respiratory infections worldwide, often beginning as cold-like symptoms but potentially progressing to severe conditions such as pneumonia, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Sanofi already has a strong presence in respiratory vaccines, with products targeting influenza and RSV. This acquisition adds a non-mRNA vaccine platform to its pipeline, enhancing diversity in its vaccine technology portfolio. Unlike mRNA vaccines, which instruct cells to produce viral proteins that trigger an immune response, non-mRNA vaccines often use protein-based or inactivated virus methods that mimic natural infection pathways.
A key highlight of the deal is Sanofi's access to Vicebio’s proprietary Molecular Clamp technology, designed to stabilize viral proteins in their native shape. This enables a more accurate immune response and is expected to accelerate vaccine development while simplifying manufacturing and global distribution.
Jean-François Toussaint, Global Head of R&D for Vaccines at Sanofi, said:
“This acquisition reinforces Sanofi’s commitment to vaccine innovation. The addition of Vicebio’s technology and combination vaccine candidate strengthens our ambition to protect older adults from multiple respiratory viruses through a single immunization.”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, and Sanofi stated that it will not significantly impact its financial outlook for 2025.