French drug company Sanofi announced it’s discontinuing research and development for its next-generation mRNA flu vaccine. The company shared the news in an earnings document, saying it was ending the phase one trial.
The firm did not disclose why it was discontinuing the trial, other than stating it was deprioritizing mRNA immunizations. However, Sanofi’s CEO stressed that it “remains fully committed to mRNA technology as a key part of our multi-platform vaccine development strategy.”
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
The firm is also still continuing research on another mRNA vaccine in preparation for the next influenza pandemic.
The discontinuation comes more than two years after Sanofi said it was working on the vaccine, bringing five different compounds into clinical trials. An mRNA vaccine, like the COVID-19 vaccines, works with generic material, like messenger RNA, to teach cells how to produce their own virus protection.
Through its trials, Sanofi found that the vaccine was working well against strain A, the more severe strain of the flu, but struggled with B strains, which tend to be milder. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy said that’s a common problem with first-gen mRNA vaccines.
Flu cases in the US
The discontinuation comes as the flu continues to run rampant across the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still list most states in the high or very category for flu activity.
For the first time in weeks, the CDC reported an increase in flu activity at the end of January. Hospitalizations were down except among infants, who are seeing an increase in hospitalizations.
The CDC estimates that so far this flu season, there have been at least 20 million illnesses, 270,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths.
In addition to the number of cases nationwide, the CDC also looks at the severity of the illness. This year, across all age groups, the CDC reported cases are moderately severe. However, when broken down by age group, the severity among children ages 0 to 17 is high.
In its most recent update, the CDC reminded Americans that it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
