Sanofi to manufacture Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine

Sanofi signed an agreement to manufacture BioNTech SE's COVID-19 vaccine being jointly developed with Pfizer Inc.

Under the deal, Sanofi will provide BioNTech late-stage manufacturing support for the supply of more than 125 million vaccine doses in Europe beginning in the summer.

The agreement shows Sanofi and BioNTech's commitment to expand vaccine accessibility, the companies said in a news release.

"We have made the decision to support BioNTech and Pfizer in manufacturing their COVID-19 vaccine in order to help address global needs, given that we have the technology and facilities to do so," Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson said.

Meanwhile, Paris-based Sanofi noted that developing its two COVID-19 vaccine candidates remains its priority.

The company joined forces with Brentford, U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline PLC to develop a vaccine which combines Sanofi's S-protein COVID-19 antigen based on recombinant DNA technology and the British drugmaker's adjuvant technology.

In December 2020, Sanofi and GSK said they will delay the development of their COVID-19 vaccine, citing the need to improve immune response in the elderly.

The companies intend to conduct a U.S. government-backed phase 2 study in February, this time using an improved antigen formulation to ensure that the vaccine will trigger high-level immune response across all age groups.

Additionally, the French drugmaker is co-developing an mRNA vaccine with Lexington, Mass.-based Translate Bio Inc. which is expected to be examined in a phase 1/2 study in the first quarter.