Caught in an EU antitrust crossfire, Sanofi is offering to publicly acknowledge that a competing flu vaccine is just as effective as its own. The French pharma giant proposed publishing statements on its German and French websites for two years, affirming that both Efluelda and CSL Seqirus's Fluad are equally recommended for elderly patients. The EU is now seeking third-party feedback before deciding whether to accept the deal.
Sanofi is trying to head off a potentially massive EU antitrust fine by pledging to stop badmouthing a rival flu vaccine. The European Commission, which opened a formal investigation in late June 2026 following unannounced raids on Sanofi offices in September 2025, alleged that the company ran a misleading campaign to promote its "Efluelda" flu vaccine while disparaging CSL Seqirus's "Fluad" — primarily in France and Germany, where Sanofi holds a dominant market position.
To resolve the matter, Sanofi has proposed publishing statements on its German and French websites for two years, confirming that national immunisation advisory bodies in both countries recommend both vaccines equally for elderly people. The company also committed to refraining from portraying Fluad negatively or mischaracterising scientific studies involving the rival product. The offer would remain valid until March 2030, if accepted.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: This case highlights growing EU regulatory scrutiny of pharmaceutical marketing practices, particularly when dominant players may use misleading tactics to crowd out competitors in critical public health markets like flu vaccination.
