The European Commission announced late in the afternoon of Friday 31 July that it had concluded exploratory talks with the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi with a view to purchasing a possible coronavirus vaccine.
The Commission mentions a contractual framework with Sanofi for the purchase of 300 million doses on behalf of the EU27. However, it is continuing talks with other vaccine manufacturers without giving further information.
“Today's step with Sanofi is a first important cornerstone of a much broader European vaccine strategy. Others will soon follow”, said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The President explained that her institution is seeking to diversify its vaccine portfolio based on different types of technologies, always with a view to maximizing the chances of fighting the virus.
The Advance Purchase Agreement with Sanofi will be funded by the Emergency Support Instrument, which has funds dedicated to creating a portfolio of potential vaccines with different profiles and produced by different companies.
This announcement is part of the institution's strategy to provide Europe with a vaccine against Covid-19 (see EUROPE 12508/4). In addition, the European Commission recently announced the supply of 30,000 treatments of Remdesivir (see EUROPE 12538/6). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)