STAT+: Sanofi avoids fine as EU accepts offer to end antitrust probe over disparaging rival vaccine

Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter.

European Union antitrust regulators accepted concessions from Sanofi to settle an investigation into an allegedly “misleading” campaign that disparaged the only rival flu vaccine recommended for vulnerable patients at risk for developing the illness. In doing so, the company avoided being fined.

The European Commission had suggested that Sanofi portrayed the Fluad vaccine marketed by CSL Seqirus as inferior to its own Efluelda vaccine in a communication campaign that primarily targeted health care professionals in Germany and France. Sanofi holds a dominant position in both countries, according to the EC.

To resolve the probe, Sanofi committed to a corrective communication campaign rectifying its “possible disparaging behavior” and to refrain from such behavior in the future, according to Teresa Riberta, the European Commission executive vice president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. The agreement is legally binding.