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Press Release
Source: Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN) (NYSE: SNY) |
Sanofi updates information on dengue vaccine
- New analysis of long-term Dengvaxia® data found differences in vaccine performance based on prior dengue
infection
- Company will ask regulators to update product label to reflect new information
PARIS, FRANCE - November 29, 2017 - Sanofi will ask health authorities to update information provided to
physicians and patients on its dengue vaccine Dengvaxia® in countries where it is approved. The request is based on a
new analysis of long-term clinical trial data, which found differences in vaccine performance based on prior dengue infection.
Based on up to six years of clinical data, the new analysis evaluated long-term safety and efficacy of Dengvaxia
in people who had been infected with dengue prior to vaccination and those who had not. The analysis confirmed that Dengvaxia
provides persistent protective benefit against dengue fever in those who had prior infection. For those not previously infected by
dengue virus, however, the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination
upon a subsequent dengue infection.
"These findings highlight the complex nature of dengue infection. We are working with health authorities to
ensure that prescribers, vaccinators and patients are fully informed of the new findings, with the goal of enhancing the impact of
Dengvaxia in dengue-endemic countries," said Dr. Su-Peing Ng, Global Medical Head, Sanofi Pasteur.
About half of the world's population lives in countries where four serotypes of dengue virus are in circulation.
Every year an estimated 390 million dengue infections are reported. People can be infected with dengue up to four times in their
lifetime and they can get severely ill after any of these infections. Surveillance data from some endemic countries indicate that
between 70 and 90 percent of people will have been exposed to dengue at least once by the time they reach adolescence. There are
many factors that can lead to severe dengue infection. However, the highest risk of getting more severe disease has been observed
in people infected for the second time by a different dengue virus.
Dengvaxia is currently indicated in most of the countries for individuals 9 years of age and older living
in a dengue-endemic area. In this indicated population, Dengvaxia has been shown to prevent 93 percent of severe disease and 80
percent of hospitalizations due to dengue over the 25 month phase of the large-scale clinical studies conducted in 10 countries in
Latin America and Asia where dengue is widespread.
Proposed Label Update
Based on the new analysis, Sanofi will propose that national regulatory agencies update the prescribing
information, known as the label in many countries, requesting that healthcare professionals assess the likelihood of prior dengue
infection in an individual before vaccinating. Vaccination should only be recommended when the potential benefits outweigh the
potential risks (in countries with high burden of dengue disease). For individuals who have not been previously infected by dengue
virus, vaccination should not be recommended.
The Sanofi label proposal will be reviewed by national regulatory agencies in each of the countries where the
vaccine is registered or under registration. Following their review, each agency might amend the company proposed label.
Financial Information
Taking this information into account and expected future sales, Sanofi will record a charge reflecting
depreciation of inventories as well as accelerated depreciation of some tangible and intangible assets in its fourth quarter
results. The impact on the Business Net Income (BNI) is still under assessment but it is expected to be in the range of €100
million after tax. Despite this impact, Sanofi confirms the guidance provided on November 2nd of broadly stable Business
EPS(1) at CER in 2017 versus 2016, barring unforeseen major adverse events.
(1) Business net income is a non-GAAP financial measure (see Appendix 8 of our November 2, 2017 financial release for a
definition).
About Dengue
Dengue is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne viral disease for which there is no treatment. Almost 4 billion
people are living at risk of dengue and these people can be sickened by dengue not just once but as many as four times in their
lifetimes.
Dengue hits hardest during rainy season outbreaks that spread rapidly in the urban growth centers of endemic
countries. The World Health Organization has called on countries with dengue to employ an integrated approach to dengue prevention
and management, with the aim of reducing deaths due to dengue by 50 percent and related disease and disability by 25 percent by
2020.
About Sanofi
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the
few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.
With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around
the globe.
Sanofi, Empowering Life |
Media Relations Contact
Laurence Bollack
Tel. : +33 (0)1 53 77 46 46
mr@sanofi.com
|
Investor Relations Contact
George Grofik
Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 77 45 45
ir@sanofi.com
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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 absence of guarantee that the product candidates if
approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, Sanofi's
ability to benefit from external growth opportunities 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 conditions, the impact of cost containment initiatives and
subsequent changes thereto, the average number of shares outstanding as well as those 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, 2016. Other than
as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or
statements. |
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