Sanofi commits $476M a year to mRNA vaccine center in race to expand tech beyond COVID-19

Sanofi is set to invest €400 million ($476 million) a year in a dedicated vaccines mRNA Center of Excellence. The commitment is intended to establish Sanofi as a front-runner in the race to develop mRNA vaccines against a wide range of infectious diseases.

With the COVID-19 pandemic validating mRNA vaccines in the prevention of infectious diseases, a clutch of companies including Moderna and Pfizer is now looking to expand use of the technology beyond the coronavirus. Sanofi, which has access to mRNA technology through its partnership with Translate Bio, took an early lead over its rivals in flu last week by starting a phase 1 clinical trial.