Credit: Shutterstock photoSanofi 's SNY Vaccines division, Sanofi Pasteur, announced that the Brazilian regulatory authority, ANVISA, has approved tetravalent dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, for the prevention of disease caused by all four dengue types in individuals from 9-45 years of age living in endemic areas.
Following the approval, Dengvaxia becomes the first dengue vaccine to be cleared in Brazil. This is the company's third consecutive approval for Dengvaxia in an endemic country, following approvals in Mexico and the Philippines earlier this month.
We are encouraged by the approval of Dengvaxia. According to WHO, dengue is the fastest growing mosquito-borne disease across the world today, causing about 400 million infections every year. Moreover, per information provided by Sanofi in its press release, more than 1.4 million Brazilians were reported to be affected by the disease during this year's outbreak season alone.
We note that Dengvaxia is the first vaccine to be approved for the prevention of dengue in the world.
Sanofi's Vaccines segment recorded revenues of €3.3 billion in the first nine months of 2015, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4% at constant exchange rate. The company expects the Vaccines segment to deliver sales at a high single-digit CAGR over the 2015-2020 period.
Meanwhile, the company continues to progress with other vaccine candidates in its pipeline. Currently, it has three vaccine candidates in late-stage development - Clostridium difficile vaccine, rotavirus oral vaccine, and quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine.
Sanofi is a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock. Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ACHN , Mylan N.V. MYL and Anika Therapeutics Inc. ANIK . All three carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
