Brussels watchdog launches antitrust probe into French drugmaker Sanofi

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, June 27, 2026

The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Sanofi over allegations that its marketing campaign misrepresented the quality of a rival flu vaccine, Fluad, in favor of its own Efluelda product. This probe targets potential anti-competitive behavior in the European influenza vaccine market and could impact regulations on pharmaceutical marketing and competition practices.

The European Union’s competition authority has opened an antitrust investigation into French pharmaceutical company Sanofi over allegations of a misleading communications campaign targeting a rival flu vaccine producer. The European Commission announced the probe on Tuesday, focusing on Sanofi’s marketing practices related to its Efluelda influenza vaccine, which competes with CSL Seqirus’s Fluad vaccine in the European market.

The Commission’s concerns center on claims made by Sanofi in communications primarily directed at healthcare professionals in Germany and France. These claims are reportedly aimed at disparaging Fluad by portraying it as inferior to Efluelda and allegedly contradict national vaccination recommendations issued by several EU member states. Specifically, the investigation highlights assertions by Sanofi that the scientific evidence supporting Fluad is weaker than that for Efluelda, as well as statements suggesting that Germany’s national vaccination recommendation for Fluad is still under "unresolved scientific objections" from medical professional societies.

Sanofi is regarded by the Commission as holding a dominant position in the market for seasonal flu vaccines in Europe, making these allegations particularly significant in terms of competition law. The probe follows regulatory raids conducted last September as part of a broader inquiry into the sector.

Teresa Ribera, the European Commissioner for Competition, emphasized the importance of impartial scientific assessments and maintaining trust in independent health authorities, framing the investigation as a step to counter practices that can unfairly damage competition and hinder informed decision-making by healthcare providers and patients.

Sanofi responded to the investigation by affirming its confidence that all its actions have complied with existing laws and regulations, including those governing competition. The company stated it is cooperating fully with the European Commission and reiterated its commitment to fair competition and the continued availability of innovative vaccines.

This inquiry represents the first major regulatory challenge for Sanofi’s new chief executive, Belén Garijo, who assumed the role last month. Garijo succeeded Paul Hudson amid the group’s reported difficulties in advancing new treatment developments during his leadership. Sanofi remains one of several major manufacturers of seasonal influenza vaccines, alongside the UK’s GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Australia’s CSL Seqirus, AstraZeneca, and Viatris.

The outcome of the investigation could have broader implications for vaccine marketing practices and competition policy within the European pharmaceutical sector. The European Commission has not set a timeline for the probe’s conclusion.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.