Sanofi 's ( SNY ) vaccines
division, Sanofi Pasteur, announced that the European Medicines
Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
(CHMP) recently rendered a positive opinion on its 6-in-1 pediatric
vaccine Hexyon/Hexacima (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepBvaccine).
The 6-in-1 vaccine will prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis
(whooping cough), hepatitisB, poliomyelitis and invasive infections
caused by haemophilus influenzaetype b in infants.
We note that Sanofi is looking to combat the generic threat
confronting most of its key drugs by signing deals, making
acquisitions and introducing new products.
We believe that the pipeline at Sanofi must deliver to combat the
generic threat. We are pleased with Sanofi's efforts to develop its
pipeline. Over the last few months, several of Sanofi's pipeline
candidates gained approval including the US approval of Aubagio
(teriflunomide) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and
the US and EU approval of Zaltrap (aflibercept) as a combination
therapy for treatment-experienced patients suffering from
metastatic colorectal cancer. We note that Sanofi has a worldwide
collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
( REGN ) for the
development and commercialization of Zaltrap.
We note that several of Sanofi's candidates will be up for
approval in the coming quarters as well. In Sanofi's vaccine
pipeline, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to
decide on the intramuscular quadrivalent formulation of Fluzone in
the second quarter of 2013. Another vaccine for the prevention of
primary symptomatic clostridium difficile infections (CDI) is
expected to move into phase III studies in the third quarter of
2013.
Sanofi carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the short run. Pharma
companies that currently look better-positioned include Eli
Lilly and Company ( LLY ) and
Bayer ( BAYRY ). Both carry a
Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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