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Sanofi has acknowledged the promise and perils of mRNA flu vaccines
Sanofi, a prominent flu vaccine maker, has acknowledged both the challenges and the potential of mRNA technology for flu. In a presentation earlier this year, the company shared market research noting that health care professionals will likely be reluctant to adopt mRNA-based flu vaccines with storage requirements more stringent than standard refrigeration. Additional market research notes that just under 70% of health care providers and patients would be unlikely to use mRNA vaccines with triple the severe side effect burden compared to a standard dose of traditional flu vaccine.

Graphic showing health care providers (HCPs) and consumers’ reluctance toward vaccines with three times as many severe side effects compared to the standard of care flu vaccine. Source: Sanofi Company Presentation.
Despite challenges, Sanofi is moving ahead with mRNA vaccines. They company’s phase 1/2 studies for mRNA flu vaccines have yielded strong immune responses, especially against A strains, although less so for B strains. In particular, Sanofi’s SP0273 vaccine showed favorable reactogenicity compared to other mRNA candidates in the same age group (18 to 64 years old). The company also is using machine learning to enhance antigen design and optimize strain selection. Initial results are promising, especially for H3 and H1 strains.
In addition to mRNA-based vaccine designs, Novavax is developing a next-generation flu vaccine, qNIV (NanoFlu), using a different approach. The company’s quadrivalent nanoparticle vaccine, which targets seasonal flu using recombinant technology, has successfully completed two phase 3 studies.
Company/Organization | Vaccine Name/ID | Description/Details | Phase & Study Details | Strains Covered (if specified) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moderna | mRNA-1010 | An mRNA-based flu vaccine designed to elicit a robust immune response against flu strains. |
|
A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Yamagata, B/Victoria |
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | H1ssF-3928 mRNA-LNP | An experimental universal influenza vaccine developed by NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center. |
|
Universal |
CureVac (with GSK) | Multivalent, modified mRNA seasonal flu vaccine candidate | mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccine candidate based on an advanced mRNA backbone. |
|
Broad coverage against WHO-recommended flu strains |
Pfizer (in collaboration with BioNTech) | Quadrivalent modRNA influenza vaccine | mRNA-based influenza vaccine candidate with potential for rapid manufacturing, flexibility, and improved strain match. |
|
Strains recommended by WHO for the Northern Hemisphere 2022-23 cell culture- or recombinant-based influenza vaccines. |
Sanofi | MRT5400 & MRT5401 | Experimental mRNA-based influenza vaccine by one of the world’s largest vaccine makers. |
|
Initial prototypes were more successful for A strains than B strains. |
Filed Under: clinical trials, Drug Discovery, Infectious Disease
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