Sanofi Invests $1.2B in Novavax for the Company’s Flu and Covid Vaccines—Move Away from mRNA

In what appears to be a signal that the pharmaceutical market is having second thoughts about mRNA platforms for vaccines, French pharma giant Sanofi inked a substantial deal with American vaccine developer Novavax. The latter entered the Covid vaccine game late, but was able to secure Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency authorization. The non-mRNA vaccine is a protein-based vaccine (well-known technology platform) mixed with an immune boosting chemical which is a different technology from the mRNA shots manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna. The authorization for the Novavax vaccine came in October of 2023 when the FDA “amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the COVID-19 Vaccine, adjuvanted for use in individuals 12 years of age and older to include the 2023-2024 formula. Individuals 12 years of age and older previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine (and who have not already been vaccinated with a recently updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) are eligible to receive one dose and unvaccinated individuals receive two doses.” Reportedly the Novavax jab has less side effects than the mRNA shots but it didn’t help the drug company with profits because, in the case of the pandemic, apparently timing, and possibly position in the hierarchy with the feds is everything. When Novavax was put on the market, the Covid shots were no longer fully covered by the federal government and the crisis of the coronavirus waned.  After approval by the World Health Organization (WHO), the stock of Novavax jumped but Wall Street analysts did not label the company stock a “not a buy”.  However, Novavax  may have just been tossed a lifeline.  Perhaps more importantly is what this deal signifies, a move by one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies away from the mRNA pathway.

Deal with Sanofi