Sanofi Pasteur Launches Zika Vaccine Project

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, has launched a vaccine R&D project targeting the prevention of Zika virus infection and disease.   Sanofi Pasteur reports that it "leads the vaccine field for viruses in the same family as Zika virus (ZIKV), with licensed vaccines against Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and, most recently, Dengue." I   The ZIKV is closely related to Dengue; it belongs to the same Flavivirus genus, is spread by the same species of mosquito and has a similar acute clinical presentation.    Sanofi Pasteur's Global Head of Research, Dr. Nicholas Jackson, will be driving the ZIKV vaccine project. Dr. Jackson commented: "[We] is responding to the global call to action to develop a Zika vaccine given the disease's rapid spread and possible medical complications. In addition to the serious possibility of congenital complications associated with Zika, investigations are also underway to assess another reported connection between Zika and a dangerous neurological disorder."