Sanofi Pasteur Reveals its Research on a "Universal" Influenza Vaccine - Seite 2

Sanofi Pasteur's experimental vaccine is a novel synthetic vaccine generated from key genetic sequences of many flu viruses, and is termed "computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen" or COBRA, and is designed to protect against many strains over several years, due to the common sequences many flu viruses share. The key advantage is broader coverage against several seasonal flu strains, which is important when there is a mismatch to the vaccine strain. An additional advantage of this approach is not relying upon annual strain selection, allowing year-round manufacturing.

"We are working with one of the leading infectious disease researchers from the University of Georgia, Dr. Ted Ross, who is currently engineering COBRA vaccines based on past sequences to cover as many strains as possible and to maximize the immune response to an influenza vaccine," said Dr. Kleanthous. "We need to find common elements that don't change every year; study how influenza vaccines have performed in the past, testing what's immunologically relevant for a broader-spectrum influenza vaccine. Improved influenza vaccines such as COBRA--designed to protect against drifting and co-circulating viruses, as well as other antigens that induce complimentary mechanisms of protection--are anticipated to have a significant impact on strain coverage and vaccine effectiveness," the researcher concluded.

According to Sanofi Pasteur's Senior Vice President for R&D, John Shiver, PhD, a universal flu vaccine will need to be compared against the standard-of-care (seasonal vaccines), showing safety, comparable immunogenicity, and efficacy in human clinical trials over several years against a range of influenza virus strains. "A truly universal vaccine is the ultimate goal; however, we believe that a broader-spectrum vaccine will be available first to replace the current seasonal flu vaccine given annually," he explained. "Science, including vaccine R&D, tends to be an iterative process. It's an evolution."

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers a broad range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us