Paris-headquartered pharmaceutical company Sanofi has announced its intention to acquire British biotech firm Vicebio in a deal worth up to €1.36 billion.
The acquisition aims to strengthen Sanofi’s portfolio in next-generation respiratory vaccines.
Under the terms of the agreement, Vicebio shareholders will receive $1.6 billion (approx. €1.36B)—this includes an upfront payment of $1.15 billion, with an additional $450 million tied to regulatory and development milestones.
A biotech rising star in respiratory vaccine innovation
Founded by Medicxi, Vicebio focuses on multi-pathogen vaccines for serious respiratory viral infections. Its flagship platform is based on proprietary Molecular Clamp technology, originally developed at the University of Queensland. This technology stabilizes viral proteins, enhancing the body’s immune response and enabling scalable production of liquid vaccines.
Vicebio’s current pipeline includes VXB-241, a bivalent vaccine targeting RSV and hMPV, now undergoing a Phase 1 clinical trial. Interim data indicates strong safety and tolerability in adults aged 60 and above—a key demographic vulnerable to such infections.
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Executive voices underline the deal’s impact
“This acquisition validates our ability to combine innovation and deep scientific expertise,” said Dr. Emmanuel Hanon, CEO of Vicebio. “We’re excited to enter the next chapter to accelerate the global impact of our work.”
Dr. Giovanni Mariggi, Chairman of Vicebio and Partner at Medicxi, added: “We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished and are excited to partner with Sanofi to ensure VXB-241 ultimately benefits those in need.”
A strategic move
Sanofi, a leader in biopharma with a strong R&D backbone supported by AI, is currently expanding its respiratory portfolio. The Vicebio acquisition is a clear signal of Sanofi’s commitment to next-generation vaccines and public health resilience.
As respiratory threats such as RSV and influenza continue to pose risks worldwide, the deal could position both companies at the forefront of vaccine innovation.
