Sanofi Announces Launch of Verorab® (Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine) in the UK for Pre-exposure and Post-exposure Prophylaxis of Rabies in All Age Groups

Rhea-AI Summary

Sanofi launches Verorab® in the UK, an inactivated rabies vaccine for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis. Clinical trials show high immune response and long-term protection. Rabies is fatal but preventable, with millions vaccinated worldwide.

Medical Research Analyst

The recent announcement regarding Sanofi's Verorab® vaccine launch in the UK is a significant development in the field of infectious diseases. The data showing a 96.9% maintenance of a protective antibody response for 10 years post-booster is a testament to the vaccine's long-term efficacy. This is particularly relevant given the fatal nature of rabies once symptoms appear. The fact that no deaths were reported 3 years after post-exposure prophylaxis in phase 4 trials further underscores the vaccine's potential as a life-saving intervention.

From a medical research perspective, the broad approval and usage of the vaccine in over 80 countries, combined with the volume of individuals vaccinated since 1985, provides a robust dataset for assessing both efficacy and safety. The moderate intensity of adverse reactions and their short duration are also notable, as they suggest a favorable risk-benefit profile which is important for patient compliance and public health impact.

Market Research Analyst

The introduction of Verorab® into the UK market could be seen as a strategic move by Sanofi to capitalize on the travel-related vaccine segment. Given that rabies is nearly always fatal and that an estimated 59,000 people die from the disease annually, there is a clear unmet need for effective prophylaxis in high-risk regions. The UK, with its significant number of international travelers, represents a new and potentially lucrative market for Sanofi.

It's important to consider the competitive landscape of rabies vaccines and how Verorab® positions itself. With its extensive clinical backing and long-term protective data, the vaccine may gain a competitive edge. Furthermore, the emphasis on education and awareness by healthcare professionals highlights the importance of market penetration strategies that go beyond the product's availability, potentially increasing uptake rates.

Healthcare Economist

The economic implications of introducing an effective rabies vaccine like Verorab® are multifaceted. On one hand, the vaccine's provision in the UK could lead to cost savings for the healthcare system by preventing the high costs associated with post-exposure treatment and potential international medevac if exposure occurred abroad. On the other hand, the vaccine's pricing and reimbursement strategies will be key factors in determining its accessibility and impact on public health.

Considering the global burden of rabies, particularly in Asia and Africa, the wider adoption of Verorab® could contribute to significant reductions in mortality rates and healthcare costs in these regions. However, this is contingent upon equitable access and affordability which are central challenges in global health economics.

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis clinical trials of a 3-dose regimen of Verorab^® followed by a booster dose at 1 year in adults and children achieved an adequate immune response.¹
• Of those who had a booster dose at 1 year, 96.9% of vaccinated individuals maintained a protective antibody response for 10 years.¹
• Post-exposure phase 4 prophylaxis clinical trials showed individuals bitten by animals with rabies and treated with a 5-dose regimen of Verorab^® were all alive 3 years after post-exposure prophylaxis.¹
• Adverse reactions were moderate in intensity and most resolved within 1 to 3 days of their onset.¹

READING, U.K.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY) has today announced the launch of Verorab^® (Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine) in the UK, an inactivated rabies vaccine indicated for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of rabies in all age groups.¹

This launch is based on extensive clinical data from over 13,000 individuals.¹ Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine has been approved and widely used in more than 80 countries.² It is estimated that between 41 and 70 million individuals have received the vaccine since its first licensure in May 1985, in France.²

Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but can be preventable with vaccination³

Each year, an estimated 59,000 people worldwide die from rabies.⁴ That’s one person every nine minutes of every day³, with approximately 95% of deaths occurring in Asia and Africa.^3,4,5 Individuals travelling to these countries should be aware of the risk of rabies and take the appropriate precautionary measures.

Rebecca Catterick, UK and Ireland Sanofi Vaccines General Manager, said:

“Rabies is a fatal, travel-related vaccine-preventable disease. The availability of Verorab^® in the UK provides an effective immunisation option for those travelling to high-risk countries, as well as a treatment for post-rabies exposure.”

Joanna Lowry, Specialist Travel Nurse & Educator, said:

“I am always surprised by the number of British travellers I meet who are unaware of the risk of rabies. Increasing awareness and sharing education on preventative measures is crucial to help reduce the possibility of this devastating disease.”

Rabies in the UK is extremely rare,⁶ and the last case of classical rabies acquired in the UK occurred more than a century ago.⁶

Rabies is primarily transmitted by the bite, scratch, or lick of a rabid animal, 99% of which are by dogs, but can also be other wildlife, such as foxes or bats.⁶

About Verorab^® (Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine)

Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine is indicated for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of rabies in all age groups and should be given according to official recommendations.¹ It can be used for both primary and booster vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis.¹ Post-exposure prophylaxis should be initiated as soon as possible after suspected exposure to rabies, and must be performed before administration of vaccine or rabies immunoglobulins, when they are indicated.¹ Pre-exposure vaccination consists of intramuscular (IM) injections of Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine.¹ Post-exposure prophylaxis can be administered via IM or intradermal (ID) routes.¹

Most commonly observed side effects include pain at the injection site, a general feeling of discomfort or being unwell (malaise), and headache.¹ Injection site reactions (pain, erythema and swelling) were more common after an ID injection than an IM injection.¹ Pain was the most common injection site reaction for both administration routes.¹

Sanofi Inactivated Rabies Vaccine is available as a lyophilised powder and a solvent (sodium chloride) for suspension for injection, containing inactivated rabies virus, and is available with or without attached needles.¹

About Sanofi

We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and potentially life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the centre of our ambitions. Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.

References

¹ Verorab SmpC. November 2023.
² Sanofi Vaccines. Data on file.
³ WHO. Zero by 30: the global strategic plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/272756/9789241513838-eng.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed March 2024.
⁴ WHO. Rabies vaccines: WHO position paper – April 2018. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2018;93(16):201-20.
⁵ WHO. Rabies key facts. September 2023. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies. Accessed March 2024.
⁶ Gov.UK. Rabies: epidemiology, transmission and prevention. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rabies-epidemiology-transmission-and-prevention#:~:text=Human%20rabies%20in%20the%20UK,-Human%20rabies%20is&text=Cases%20occurring%20since%20then%20have,from%20the%20Philippines%20and%20Nigeria. Accessed March 2024.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240404662602/en/

Sanaz Ayoughi, UK & Ireland Sanofi Vaccines Communications Lead

|+44 (0) 7753 717 109

sanaz.ayoughi@sanofi.com

Source: Sanofi

What is the name of the inactivated rabies vaccine launched by Sanofi in the UK?

The inactivated rabies vaccine launched by Sanofi in the UK is called Verorab®.

What type of prophylaxis does Verorab® provide?

Verorab® provides both pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of rabies.

What percentage of vaccinated individuals maintained a protective antibody response for 10 years after receiving a booster dose of Verorab®?

96.9% of vaccinated individuals maintained a protective antibody response for 10 years after receiving a booster dose of Verorab®.

How many individuals were included in the clinical data for the launch of Verorab® in the UK?

The launch of Verorab® in the UK is based on extensive clinical data from over 13,000 individuals.

How many people worldwide die from rabies each year?

Each year, an estimated 59,000 people worldwide die from rabies.