Sanofi Acquires Vicebio in $1.6bn Deal, Expanding Respiratory Vaccine Portfolio

French pharma giant Sanofi has agreed to acquire British biotech firm Vicebio in a deal worth up to $1.6bn. The acquisition will expand Sanofi's respiratory vaccine portfolio and provide a wider range of vaccines for doctors and patients. Vicebio's molecular clamp tech will also be gained, allowing for the development of next-generation vaccines. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2025 and won't have a significant impact on Sanofi's 2025 financial guidance.

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has agreed to acquire British biotech firm Vicebio for up to $1.6 billion. The acquisition, expected to close in Q4 2025, aims to bolster Sanofi's respiratory vaccine portfolio and provide a wider range of options for doctors and patients. The deal will also bring Vicebio's innovative molecular clamp technology into Sanofi's fold, enabling the development of next-generation vaccines [1].

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi will acquire all of Vicebio's share capital for an upfront payment of $1.15 billion, with potential milestone payments of up to $450 million based on development and regulatory achievements. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals, and is not expected to have a significant impact on Sanofi's 2025 financial guidance [2].

Sanofi's acquisition of Vicebio is a strategic move to expand its respiratory vaccine offerings, particularly in the multivalent vaccine market. Vicebio's molecular clamp technology stabilizes viral proteins in their native conformation, enabling the creation of fully liquid, cold-chain-friendly vaccines that can be stored at standard refrigeration temperatures (2–8°C). This eliminates the logistical hurdles of freezing or freeze-drying, a critical advantage for global distribution [1].

The acquisition will enhance Sanofi's pipeline, particularly with Vicebio's lead candidate, VXB-241, a bivalent RSV/hMPV vaccine in Phase 1 trials for older adults. Preliminary safety data from this trial, expected in mid-2025, will serve as a key milestone. Additionally, VXB-251, a preclinical trivalent vaccine targeting RSV, hMPV, and PIV3, underscores Vicebio's ability to scale protection against multiple pathogens [1].

The deal positions Sanofi to capture the growing multivalent vaccine market, projected to grow from $9.2 billion in 2025 to $13.32 billion by 2034. Sanofi's acquisition of Vicebio complements its existing respiratory assets, such as Beyfortus (RSV monoclonal antibody) and JYNNEOS (mpox vaccine), allowing the company to create a layered defense strategy [1].

The acquisition also unlocks significant synergies for Sanofi. Vicebio's technology is broadly applicable to viruses like influenza, coronaviruses, and even Ebola, expanding Sanofi's R&D horizons. Sanofi's global manufacturing infrastructure can scale Vicebio's liquid vaccine production, aligning with its $20 billion U.S. investment plan through 2030 [1].

For investors, the acquisition's long-term value lies in its alignment with secular trends, such as the aging global population and rising incidence of respiratory diseases. The deal signals confidence in Vicebio's pipeline and could deliver blockbuster revenue if trials succeed. The acquisition mitigates Sanofi's exposure to single-product risks and opens doors to partnerships with global health organizations, enhancing Sanofi's reputation and revenue streams [1].

References:

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/sanofi-1-6-billion-acquisition-vicebio-strategic-bet-respiratory-vaccine-innovation-2507/
[2] https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2025/2025-07-22-05-30-00-3119150