Sanofi and Merck & Co end vaccines partnership

Sanofi Pasteur and Merck & Co (MSD) plan to end their joint European vaccines business and consolidate its assets within their respective companies by the end of the year. The pair originally joined forces in 1994, forming Sanofi Pasteur MSD, to develop and commercialise vaccines from both companies.

‘After carefully considering our individual strategic priorities, alongside the economic and regulatory environments for vaccine operations in the EU, we have mutually agreed that it is in our best interests to manage our vaccine product portfolios independently. We believe that focusing our efforts on opportunities unique to our respective companies will better position us to drive growth, execute in a more efficient manner and optimise vaccine coverage,’ Sanofi and MSD said in a joint statement.