More Than a Shot: Sanofi’s Vicebio Deal Shows the Power of Platform Biotech

In the high-stakes world of biotechnology, big pharma acquisitions often signal broader trends. The recent deal by Sanofi to acquire Vicebio, a UK-based vaccine biotech, for up to $1.6 billion is more than just another pharma buyout – it’s a case study in the value of platform technology. Vicebio isn’t being bought for a single commercial product (it has none, being in Phase 1 trials); it’s being bought for its Molecular Clamp platform, a novel way to design vaccines. This move – Sanofi paying $1.15 billion upfront for a preclinical/Phase 1 asset – speaks volumes about how major drugmakers view platform biotechs as strategic assets.

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