Sanofi moves to buy Vicebio in a $1.15 billion deal, adding a Molecular Clamp platform and an RSV–hMPV combo vaccine to its respiratory arsenal

(IN BRIEF) Sanofi has agreed to acquire UK-based Vicebio for $1.15 billion upfront plus up to $450 million in milestones, with closing anticipated in Q4 2025. The deal adds an early-stage bivalent RSV/hMPV vaccine (VXB‑241, in Phase 1 for older adults) and a preclinical trivalent RSV/hMPV/PIV3 candidate (VXB‑251), expanding Sanofi’s respiratory vaccine pipeline beyond mRNA approaches. Vicebio’s Molecular Clamp technology stabilizes viral proteins in their native form, enabling rapid development of fully liquid combination vaccines that can be stored at 2–8 °C and offered in prefilled syringes to streamline distribution and administration. Sanofi says the acquisition aligns with its strategy to deliver innovative vaccines and increase choice for physicians and patients. Vicebio’s platform originated at The University of Queensland and was funded by Medicxi. The transaction is not expected to materially affect Sanofi’s 2025 guidance.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 22-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Sanofi has signed a definitive agreement to purchase London‑based biotech Vicebio Ltd, a move that broadens Sanofi’s respiratory vaccine portfolio and brings in a novel platform for designing next‑generation shots. Central to the deal is Vicebio’s early-stage combination vaccine targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), along with the company’s proprietary “Molecular Clamp” technology.

Sanofi already plays a significant role in respiratory prevention with its influenza and RSV offerings. Adding Vicebio’s candidate gives physicians and patients another option—importantly, a non‑mRNA approach—to prevent two major respiratory pathogens in a single dose.

The Molecular Clamp platform stabilizes viral surface proteins in the form they naturally present to the immune system. By locking antigens in this native conformation, vaccines can provoke a more targeted immune response. The technology also accelerates development of fully liquid combination vaccines that remain stable at standard refrigerator temperatures (2–8 °C). That eliminates the need for freezing or lyophilization, simplifying manufacturing and logistics. Liquid formulations can be filled into prefilled syringes, improving usability, safety and workflow efficiency in clinical settings.

“Vicebio’s Molecular Clamp represents a deliberately elegant way to upgrade vaccine design at a time when respiratory infections continue to burden millions,” said Jean‑François Toussaint, Global Head of Research & Development Vaccines at Sanofi. “Through this acquisition, we aim to craft next‑generation combo vaccines that could shield older adults from multiple viruses with a single immunization.”

Vicebio CEO Emmanuel Hanon commented: “Joining forces with Sanofi gives our team the scale, expertise and reach to fully unlock the potential of our platform. Within Sanofi, we can push our pipeline forward faster and deliver tangible benefits to patients and public health.”

Vicebio’s pipeline features VXB‑241, a bivalent RSV/hMPV candidate now being evaluated in an exploratory Phase 1 trial in older adults, and VXB‑251, a preclinical trivalent program adding parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) to RSV and hMPV. RSV, hMPV and PIV3 are among the leading causes of lower respiratory tract disease, including pneumonia. Though they often produce similar symptoms—cough, fever, breathing difficulties—they are antigenically distinct, frequently co‑circulate, and collectively drive seasonal waves of illness that can result in frailty, hospitalization and death among older populations.

Financial terms
Under the agreement, Sanofi will acquire 100% of Vicebio’s share capital for an upfront consideration of $1.15 billion, plus up to $450 million in development and regulatory milestones. Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances, the transaction is expected to complete in Q4 2025. Sanofi does not anticipate a material effect on its 2025 financial guidance.

About Sanofi
Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives; this inspires us to drive progress and deliver positive impact for our people and the communities we serve, by addressing the most urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges of our time. Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY

About Vicebio
Vicebio is focused on developing next-generation respiratory virus vaccines using the Molecular Clamp Technology. The company was founded with investment from Medicxi and acquired the rights to the Molecular Clamp technology through a license from UniQuest, the commercialization arm of The University of Queensland, Australia. This proprietary technology was developed by Prof. Paul Young, Prof. Daniel Watterson, and Prof. Keith Chappell at UQ. For more information, please visit: https://www.vicebio.com/

Sanofi forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions, and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans” and similar expressions. Although Sanofi’s management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the fact that product candidates if approved may not be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, Sanofi’s ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, to complete related transactions and/or obtain regulatory clearances, risks associated with intellectual property and any related pending or future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, volatile economic and market conditions, cost containment initiatives and subsequent changes thereto, and the impact that global crises may have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Sanofi’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

Sanofi moves to buy Vicebio in a $1.15 billion deal, adding a Molecular Clamp platform and an RSV–hMPV combo vaccine to its respiratory arsenal

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Sanofi moves to buy Vicebio in a $1.15 billion deal, adding a Molecular Clamp platform and an RSV–hMPV combo vaccine to its respiratory arsenal