The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into French pharmaceutical group Sanofi over suspicions it breached competition rules in promoting its enhanced flu vaccine Efluelda. The probe focuses on whether Sanofi ran a misleading communication campaign that disparaged the competing Fluad vaccine from Australian company CSL Seqirus, portraying it as inferior to Efluelda and contradicting national vaccination recommendations in several member states. The campaign primarily targeted healthcare professionals in Germany and France, where Sanofi is considered to hold a dominant position. Sanofi, which had disclosed the investigation last September, denies any wrongdoing and says it has acted in full compliance with all applicable laws. If the alleged anticompetitive practices are confirmed, the Commission could impose a fine for abuse of a dominant position.
Sanofi SAEU opens antitrust probe into Sanofi for allegedly disparaging rival flu vaccine, risking fine for abuse of dominant position.