European Commission Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Sanofi's Flu Vaccine Marketing Practices

Jun 26, 2026

The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into French drugmaker Sanofi over allegations it ran a misleading marketing campaign in breach of EU competition rules. The EC suspects Sanofi illegally disparaged CSL Seqirus's rival "Fluad" flu vaccine to boost sales of its own "Efluelda" shot, primarily in France and Germany where Sanofi holds a dominant position. Sanofi states it is cooperating with the probe.

European Commission antitrust investigation

▪The investigation follows unannounced raids on Sanofi offices that were carried out in September 2025.
▪The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into French drugmaker Sanofi for a potential breach of EU competition rules.
▪Sanofi stated it is cooperating fully with the European Commission and is confident it has acted in compliance with all applicable laws.

Sanofi marketing practices allegations

▪The campaign allegedly contradicted national vaccine recommendations in several EU member states.
▪The European Commission stated that Sanofi holds a dominant position in the flu vaccine markets in both France and Germany.
▪The alleged campaign primarily targeted healthcare professionals in France and Germany.
▪The European Commission is concerned that Sanofi conducted a misleading communication campaign to disparage a rival flu vaccine.

CSL Seqirus Fluad vaccine

▪The rival vaccine allegedly disparaged by Sanofi is "Fluad," which is made by CSL Seqirus.
▪Sanofi's campaign allegedly suggested the evidence for using the CSL Seqirus Fluad vaccine was weaker than for using Sanofi's own vaccine.
▪The European Commission described the Fluad vaccine as the only rival flu vaccine recommended for vulnerable patients at risk for developing influenza.

Efluelda sales impact

▪The European Commission suspects the campaign was intended to boost Sanofi's profits by increasing sales of its own "Efluelda" vaccine.
▪Sanofi's Efluelda vaccine is designed to provide greater protection against influenza for people over 60 years old.