EU Accepts Sanofi Commitments, Settles Vaccine Probe

The European Commission on Wednesday accepted legally binding commitments from Sanofi, settling an antitrust investigation without a fine. The probe, opened on 26 June this year, concerned alleged disparagement of CSL Seqirus's Fluad flu vaccine in a campaign aimed primarily at healthcare professionals in Germany and France, set against Sanofi's own Efluelda. The Commission could have fined Sanofi up to 10% of global annual turnover. The commitments run until March 2030. For two years Sanofi must publish statements on German and French websites confirming both vaccines are treated as equivalent, and those statements must reach healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders in Germany who received the materials. A monitoring trustee will oversee compliance. Since October 2024, Germany's STIKO has recommended either Efluelda or Fluad for people 60 and older, with no preference. Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera called the result "a very fast and effective outcome" and, rejecting suggestions a no-fine settlement could encourage similar conduct by others, said the Commission "will remain vigilant." CSL Seqirus issued a statement welcoming the decision. Sanofi's response is not in the record.