Sanofi is dropping plans for its own mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine because of the dominant role of the BioNTech-Pfizer alliance as well as Moderna in the fight against the pandemic, the company has said.

The French healthcare group will instead focus on efforts with British partner GlaxoSmithKline to bring a Covid-19 vaccine candidate to market based on the more conventional protein-based approach, where mass trials are ongoing.

The decision to drop clinical development of the mRNA shot, acquired as part of its takeover of Translate Bio, came despite positive positive Phase I/II study interim results wherein participants' blood readings showed a strong immune reaction.

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