Sanofi's strong performance in the third quarter was driven by increased sales in its vaccines division, particularly in the flu shots and Beyfortus, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody for infants.

Increased Sales in Vaccines Division

Sanofi's vaccines unit revenue reached about 3.8 billion euros in the third quarter, exceeding expectations and resulting in a rise in the company's share price.

CEO Paul Hudson emphasized the company's portfolio strength and highlighted the successful market introduction of Beyfortus, an approved antibody for preventing RSV infections in infants.

Expanding Manufacturing Capacity

The demand for Beyfortus led to the expansion of Sanofi's manufacturing capacity. The company aims to ensure that every eligible baby in the U.S. has access to this important preventive measure against RSV.

Competition in RSV Prevention

The landscape for RSV prevention is evolving, with potential competition from Merck & Co.'s clesrovimab. However, Sanofi's proactive measures and strong financial performance position the company well in meeting the growing demand for RSV prevention.