- Despite disappointing early trials data, Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) rolls the dice and starts production of its dengue fever vaccine. The firm has invested more than 300 million euros in a manufacturing plant near Lyon. It began producing the vaccine in July.
- In 2012, trial data in Thailand showed that the vaccine failed to protect against one of the four main strains of the disease, the most prevalent at that time.
- Phase 3 data involving 30,000 children in Latin America and southeast Asia should start coming in by mid-year. If positive, the firm hopes to begin sales in 2015 in at least one country that participated in the trial.
- Despite the uncertainty, analysts believe peak sales could reach 1 billion euros.